The 🐈😻 who smelled 👃 a rat 🐀 full audiobook

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In this book while waiting for the snow to start falling moose county is experiencing arson and two murders that are eventually proven to tie in with small town corruption after two prominent citizens abruptly leave town and one returns in secret quiller and noses around and discovers that a greedy developer the

Town’s corrupt mayor and his hatched man are all up to no good as they concoct a scheme to make money in a pyramid scheme using tactics that are immoral and bordering on illegal the way Jim Quillan sees it there’s nothing worse than being left high and dry but that’s exactly where he’s been

Ever since a record-breaking drought hit moose County he’s bedraggled beleaguered and following a rash of fires at local historic mind sites deeply bewildered some blame the blazes on bad weather conditions but Quill’s thinking arson and when a mysterious explosion is followed by a blood chill ing murder he

Starts seriously praying for snow and answers good thing Coco Can Smell Trouble a mile away and now the cat who smelled a rat chapter 1 it was late October and moose County 400 mil north of everywhere was in danger of being wiped off the map in the

Grip of a record breaking drought towns and farms and forests could be reduced to ashes overnight given a single spark and a high wind volunteer firefighters were on round thee clock alert and the congregations of 14 churches prayed for snow not rain snow winter always began with a three-day blizzard called the big

One that buried everything under snow drifting to 10 ft so the good folk of moose County waxed their snow shovels bought antifreeze and earm muffs stockpiled bottled water and Flashlight batteries and prayed late one evening in a condominium Northeast of pickax City the county seat a cat sat on a windowsill stretching his

Neck raising his nose and sniffing the man watching him thought he smells a skunk they had recently moved to the wooded area with its new sights new sounds new smells he went Outdoors to investigate and found no sign of a skunk it was a calm quiet night until the whoop of a

Police siren shattered the silence followed by the honk honk of a fire truck speeding South on a distant Highway the noise stopped abruptly as the emergency vehicles reached their destination reassured that another Wildfire was under control he went went back indoors the cat was lapping water from

His bowl it was remarkable that he had smelled smoke three miles away on a night without a breeze and with the window closed but cow cun was a remarkable cat they had moved to a condominium in Indian village for the winter two Siamese and their personal valet Jim

Quillin he also wrote a twice weekly column for the local paper the Moose County something now middle-aged he had been a prize winning a crime reporter for Metropolitan newspapers down below as the rest of the United States was known to Moose County odd Circumstances had brought him

To the North country with his two housemates both adopted after crises in their Nine Lives Kung familiarly known as Koko was a sleek stal male with amazing intelligence and intuition yum yum was smaller softer and sweeter both had the pale Fawn fur with seal Brown points typical of the breed and their Brown

Masks were accented with shockingly blue eyes while the female was adored for her dainty walk and kittenish ways the male was admired for his masterful whiskers 60 instead of the usual 40 by coincidence quillin was noted for his luxuriant pepper and salt mustache it appeared at the head of his quill pen

Column every Tuesday and Friday and was recognized everywhere he went a well-built 6’2 he was seen walking around town riding a bicycle dining in restaurants and covering his beat but he had claims to fame other than the unorthodox spelling of his name and the magnificence of his mustache fate had

Made him the heir to the vast cling and chain fortune and he was the richest man in the Northeast Central United States turning his wealth over to a foundation for philanthropic purposes had helped to endear him to the citizens of moose County after the smok sniffing episode quillin gave the Siamese their bedtime

Treat and conducted them to their comfortable room on the balcony turning on their TV without the sound to Lo them to sleep then he sprawled in a large chair and read news magazines until it was time for the midnight news on wpk X a brush fire on chipmunk Road near the

Big b m site has been extinguished by volunteer firefighters from kbec when they arrived on the scene the Flames were creeping toward the shaft house one of 10 in the county recently designated as historic places motorists driving on country roads are once more reminded not to toss cigarettes out the car window

Said a spokesman for the sheriff’s department roadside weeds and Forest underbrush are dry as Tinder this is the third such fire in a week quillin temped his mustache as he often did when harboring suspicions strangely it seemed to be the source of his hunches he thought arson

For purposes of vandalism is on the increase Nationwide in Moose County any blackhearted arsonist who wanted to infuriate the populace could torch a shaft house yet locals were reluctant to admit that it can happen here nevertheless he had been glad to Desert the centers of overpopulation crime traffic jams and

Pollution and accept the quirks of small town living He himself was not inclined to gossip but he was willing to listen to the neighborly exchange of information that flourished in and coffee shops on street corners and through the pickaxe grape vine at to’s Market the next day where

He bought groceries the three brush fires were the chief topic of conversation everyone had a theory no one believed the sheriff it was a coverup the authorities were trying to avert Panic the groceries were for Polly Duncan director of the public library quillin had an arrangement with her he

Shopped for her groceries while she slaved in the workplace then she invited him to dinner it was more than a practical proposition poly was the chief woman in his life Charming intelligent and his own age the dinner deal was especially convenient in the winter when he closed

His Summer Place a converted Apple Barn and moved his household to Indian village there he owned a condo a few doors from P’s he liked a periodic change of address it satisfied The Wander lust that had made him a successful journalist down below Indian village was an upscale residential development in suffix

Township which had been annexed by piak city after years of wrangling it extended along the West Bank of the ibidi wasi river rustic Cedar sided buildings were scattered among the trees condominiums in clusters of four Multiplex Apartments a clubhouse and the gate house quillin had unit four

In the cluster called The Willows unit 3 was occupied by the W pkx meteorologist WEA be good real name Joe bunker there was a new neighbor in unit 2 Kurt Nightingale was a rare book dealer from Boston returning to his hometown in middle age what do you suppose is his real name

The village Wags whispered Polly Duncan in unit one was was impressed by his erudition and said if we can accept quillin with a qw and a weatherman named weather be good we shouldn’t Flinch at a nightingale and he’s going to be a nice quiet neighbor that was important the walls of

The contiguous units were thin and there were other construction details that were flawed but it was a good address with a wonderful location and many amenities for residents arriving at unit one with bag of groceries quillin let himself in with his own key Polly was at the library

Greeted her two cats and refrigerated perishable purchases all the units had the same layout a foyer a two-story living room with a wall of glass overlooking the river two bedrooms on the balcony and a kitchen and dining Al Cove beneath a garage with space for one vehicle was under the house there the

Similarity ended Pie’s unit was furnished even over furnished with an iques inherited from her in-laws quillin preferred the Stark Simplicity of contemporary design with two or three antique objects for decorative accent when friends asked why don’t you and ply get married he would reply our cats are

Incompatible the truth was that he would find it suffocating to live with the apperences of the 19th century ply felt the same way about modern they stayed single before leaving said a few friendly words to Brutus a muscular well-fed Siamese and looked about for Kata who was younger and smaller a

Flicker of movement overhead revealed her perched on a drapery Rod she had the Siamese taste for Heights are you guys all set for the big one he asked it won’t be long before snow flies there was no answer but he could read their minds they sensed that he had

Cats of his own they knew he had been there before even feeding them when she was away but was he to be trusted what was that large brush on his face when quillin returned for dinner at 6:30 Brutus rubbed against his ankles Kata squealed and hopped about they knew

He had a treat in his pocket Pie’s harried voice came from the kitchen quill I’m running a little late would you be good enough to feed the cats open a can of the special diet for him and the salmon and cream gravy for her and

You might put a CD on the stereo not Mozart what’s for dinner Minon and lasagna how about mandolin music Polly had put a butterfly table and two ladderback chairs in one of the large Windows setting it with Regency silver and Wedgewood after adding a plentiful garnish of Parmesan to the soup quillin

Asked what’s the latest news in the stacks he knew that the library was The Unofficial Hub of the pickaxe grap Vine everyone’s concerned about the brush fires she said the Big B mine was owned by Maggie spr sprankle’s great grandmother you know and if anything happened to the shaft house she’d have a

Heart attack quillin smoothed his mustache has there ever been a threat to a shaft house in the past not that I know and I’ve lived here since College it’s ironic that last night’s incident should coincide with the dedication of the plaques 10 bronze plaques donated anonymously had been installed at the

Historic Minds sites that’s exactly what Maggie said she was the donor you know although she doesn’t want it known you won’t mention it will you of course not he had already heard the rumor from three other sources when the lasagna was served conversation turned to the art Center’s

New manager Barb ogy the art Knitter a very good choice Polly said she’s well organized and has a pleasant personality she’s going to teach a class and she’ll be able to do her own knitting on the job which will make up for the modest salary they pay at the craft fair I

Bought several pairs of her goofy socks for Christmas gifts not for me I hope quillin said by the way my compliments on the lasagna it’s one of the best I’ve ever tasted thank you it’s from the deli she said smugly countering his Brash remark about the socks Beverly forar was

Never right for the manager’s job although I liked her as a person I wonder where she is now she found work in a large University Town I happen to know querin said she won’t have to worry about chickens crossing the road or tractors dumping mud on the pavement she

Had a strange haircut didn’t she yes but good legs help yourself to the sauce quill Mildred made it the recipe came from the chef at the Macintosh Inn the local clan of Macintosh presented the Inn with an an antique Scottish curling Stone did you know it’s in a glass case in the

Lobby he said is Nightingale still staying at the Inn no the moving van finally arrived from Boston with his furniture and books how could it have taken them so long they got lost querin guessed they couldn’t find pickax on the map they had a triple load and delivered

Here by way of Miami in St Louis they had met Kurt Nightingale at a welcoming party in the village and were impressed by his expertise although they found him ordinary in appearance and without much personality he intended to publish his own catalog and do mail order business from his condo quillin a

Collector of old books had asked a question about Dickens and the dealer said if you’re interested I can get you three volumes of sketches by boss for 30,000 two were printed in 1836 and the third a year later kerin nodded seriously he never paid more than three or5 for a pre-owned

Classic at the used bookstore in pickaxe when he and Polly recalled the incident over dinner at the butterfly table she said don’t you think it gives us a certain EA to have a rare book dealer in our midst how much a CLA do you want he asked we already have you

And me and the wkx meteorologist and the publisher of the newspaper and a city council member and the Indian Village developer himself the last one was added with sarcasm Don xbridge was not highly admired by the residents they blamed him for the thin walls leaking roofs rattling windows and bouncing floors but

It was they told themselves a good address after the dessert fresh pears and gorgonzola quillin built a fire in the fireplace and they had their beverages in front of the comforting Blaze tea for her coffee for him he knew her so well but not well enough

To ask what kind of coffee do you use how long has it been in the house how do you store it what Brewing method do you use she asked how’s the coffee dear she knew he was a connoisseur not bad he replied meaning it was drinkable I’m glad you like it it’s only

Instant decaf later when he was leaving he noticed a carved wooden box on the foyer table it was long compared to its other dimensions and the hinged lid was carved with vines and leaves surrounding the words love box where did you get the box he asked oh that she said with a shrug

On the day the moving van came I thought it would be neighborly to invite Kurt in for a simple supper and the box was a thank you I suppose she had shortened the man’s splendiferous name to a single syllable what is its purpose he asked crisply it’s for gloves the first letter

Is half hidden by the leaves it had belonged to his mother and he wanted me to have it it seemed like a rather touching gesture H he muttered actually I don’t care for the light oak and stylized carving it seems rather Manish and I have a lovely needle point glove box

That my sister made I wish you’d take it quill how old is it early 20th century I’d guess but whatever you do don’t let Kurt know I gave it away we’ll put it in a large plastic bag in case he’s looking out the window when you carry it

Home the glove box looked good on the Sleek modern chest of drawers in quillin’s foyer old enough to be interesting but not old enough to look fussy he immediately filled it with his winter gloves wool-knit leather fur lined it stood alongside a handmade lamp from the craft exhibit a tall square

Column of hammered copper the Siamese sensed something new and came to investigate Koko’s nose traced the letters on the lid from right to left he reads backwards quillin always said then abruptly the cat’s attention was distracted he jumped down from the chest and went to a Southeast window

Where he stretched his neck raised his head and sniffed while his tail switched nervously without waiting to hear the scream of the police sirens an urgent bleat of the fir truck quillin ran out to his van just as his neighbor the weatherman was returning from his late evening report

Quillin rolled down the car window Joe quick get in weather be good was a husky happy go-lucky fellow always ready for an adventure no questions asked settled in the passenger seat he asked casually where too I think there’s another fire to the southeast open the window and see

If you smell smoke not a whiff but Southeast would be across the river turn right at the gate and right again at the bridge that took them to the intersection of sprinkle and Quarry roads they stopped and looked in three directions and sniffed hard there was no

Traffic on these back roads at this hour go east another mile to Old Glory Road wetherby said there’s a mine down there quillin said has it occurred to anyone that these fires are at mine sights well the theory is that these abandoned mines are bordered by by secluded dirt roads

That kids use as lovers Lanes the chances are that they smoke and throw cigarettes out the window you don’t hear of any fire starting in daylight approaching the Old Glory mine they could see the tailights of a car receding in the distance see what I mean

I see a red glow just ahead quillin stopped the van and used his cell phone to report a brush fire at Old Glory mine they waited until they heard the emergency vehicles on the way then drove back to the Village it was my cat who smelled smoke quillin

Said coko sees the invisible hears the inaudible and smells the unsellable Jetstream never smells anything unless it’s food wetherby said have you met the new guy in unit 2 I introduced myself out on the sidewalk one day and we had a few words I asked what had happened to the Jaguar he drove

When he came here he said it was too conspicuous among all the Vans and Pickups so he disposed of it in lock mask and bought a station wagon four-wheel drive has he discovered our Dirty Little Secret quillin asked if the roof leaks on his $30,000 books XYZ

Enterprises will get sued for plenty the roofs have been fixed wetherby said just in time for the worst drought in 20 years wouldn’t you know but you were at the beach this summer when they re-roofed the whole village how come did Don xbridge have a near-death experience

You missed the fun quill a few of us got together and vandalized the XYZ billboard of the city limits the one that says we stand behind our product a prime example of corporate hogwash well we went out after dark and pasted a 12-ft patch over it saying we stand

Under our roofs with a bucket we tipped off the newspaper of course the sheriff’s night Patrol stopped and the deputy had a good laugh it didn’t hurt that one of the vandals was a city council member the roofers were on the job the next day quillin said that story

Is good enough for a drink Joe do you have time next time quill I have to get up early tomorrow and drive to horseradish for a family picnic last get together before snow flies I hear you’re driving a limousine in the shaft house motorcade yes and I may live to regret it chapter

2 it was hickie Rice’s idea to Stage a shaft house motorcade she was promotion director for the Moose County something and the newspaper agreed to underwrite expenses as a public service Dwight sers a public relations consultant donated his services and the third member of the planning committee was Maggie sprinkle

The anonymous donor of the 10 bronze plaques there were 10 abandoned mines in Moose County some dating as far back as 1850 Mining and lumbering had made it the richest county in the state before World War I now the minds sites were expanses of Barren ground enclosed in

High chain link fences and posted with red signs saying danger keep out in the center of each site was the old shaft house a weathered wood Tower about 40 ft High architecturally it looked like a lofty pile of sheds on top of sheds a tourist magazine had called it a Cubist

Artwork so ugly it’s beautiful artists painted impressions of the shaft houses in watercolors and toils visitors cameras clicked thousands of times no tens of thousands locals revered the shaft houses as monuments to the County’s distinguished past on the morning of the motorcade while quillin Was preparing a particularly toothsome

Breakfast for the Siamese he tuned in the hourly news briefs on wpk X and heard another wildfire in the vicinity of a Min sight was reported during the night and brought under control by kbec firefighters the Old Glory mine in suffix Township was the scene of burning weeds and underbrush threatening the

Shaft house one of the oldest in the county all 10 shaft houses will be honored as historic places this afternoon when the shaft house motorcade winds through the back roads dedicating the newly installed bronze markers County Commissioners will officiate without waiting for the high school football scores he turned the

Radio off then the doorbell rang and the most glamorous young woman in town was standing on the doorstep I got your message I’m on my way to work what’s the problem Fran Brody a resident of Indian village was second in command at Amanda’s Studio of interior design she

Was also the police chief’s daughter a fact that counted for something in quillin’s book come in and look around he said this place has been in mothballs all summer and looks neglected cup of coffee she accepted and walked around with it studying the interior after snow flies she said the view from

These windows will be all black and white you could use a splash of red over the mantle and I have a boutique wall hanging 3×4 done by a new artist in town noting the vacant look on her client’s face she added as you probably know that’s painting on fabric using a

Wax and dye method centuries old we’ll repeat the red in some polished cotton toss pillows for the sofa large plump ones the cats will love them and I’ll send you a bowl of red delicious apples for the coffee table don’t try to eat them they’re painted

Wood she had a breezy manner with her male clients that intimidated some and entertained others quillin was always amused she went on where did you get that copper lamp not from me the shade is all wrong it was the tall lamp on the chest in the foyer don’t you like it a

Local metal Smith had it in the craft show it’s all right but it would look 100% better with a brown shade I’ll send one over with the boutique and pillows and wooden apples quillin reminded her who scattered the seating pieces like this probably the painters when they repaired the water damage my installer

Will arrange it properly when he makes the deliveries I’ll have him group it in a u plan facing the fireplace then all you need is an important rug her well-made up face that had been frowning in concentration suddenly brightened I know know where you can get a lush

Danish Ria rug handmade 6×8 vintage design circa 1950 for only 10,000 he said with a smirk Fran gave him a brief look of annoyance it’s in the silent auction tomorrow you’ll have to bid on it it’s a vetted sale and I was on the selection committee that’s

How I know about it should I know what a silent auction is well the way this one works business firms and individuals have donated items to be sold proceeds going to the pickaxe animal shelter they’ll be on display at the Community Hall you buy an admission ticket walk

Around and look at them drink some punch enjoy the entertainment and socialize if you see an item you like you sign your name and the amount you want to bid someone else can come along and raise your bid that’s what makes it exciting H kerin mused how much do you think I

Should bid on the rug that is if I like it the minimum acceptable bid is 500 you can take it from there it’s fun to go around and see who’s bidding on what and how much friends raise each other’s bids just for devilry Arch rker might like to attend

Quillin said with malice of forethought I hope you get the rug Fran said the cats will love it on the way out she saw the carved Oak glove box alongside the copper lamp is that where you store your old love letters quillin immediately phoned the reer residence art had been his life

Long friend and now he was editorinchief and publisher of the something his wife Mildred was food editor she answered what’s Arch doing quillin demanded reading out of town newspapers put him on his friend came to the phone with a preoccupied attitude of one who was three days behind with his New York

Times Arch quillin shouted to get his attention how would it be if the four of us went to Sunday brunch at Tipsy’s Tavern tomorrow and then to the silent auction at the Community Hall I hear they have some pretty good stuff it was an irresistible invitation

To a Gand who was also a collector what time who drives do they take credit cards Arch asked pleased with the arrangements quiller and dressed for the motorcade and went downtown for an early lunch whatever time he had to kill before the push off could be spent en

Joyy at the used bookstore he had his favorite Ruben sandwich at reny’s in the Macintosh in and was about to leave the building when he heard his name called quill I was just thinking about you think of the devil how’s everything with you Barry great the K fund now owners of

The Inn had sent Barry Morgan from Chicago to manage it are you ready for the big one quillin asked as ready as I’ll ever be it can’t be as bad as they say all that and worse but if you can survive the first 3 days you’re home

Free the county has a fleet of snow handling equipment comparable to a Greek shipping magnet’s Fleet of oil tankers thanks to the K fund great do you have a couple of minutes to talk they stepped into a reading Al Cove in a secluded corner of the lobby close

By the fulllength life-size portrait of an Macintosh quillin what’s on your mind quillin asked my brother and his wife are here they wanted to get settled before snow flies listen to me I’m beginning to talk like a native where are they living they bought one of those big old houses on

Pleasant Street Fran Brody is fixing it up for them and the clinic is almost ready to open moose County Dermatology it’s called my sister-in-law is an artist you know she does batik wall hangings and Fran is representing her interesting kerin said is there anything I can do to welcome them well yes Barry

Said when I first came here you gave me some great advice about getting along with folks in a small town and I’d appreciate it if you’d repeat it be happy too if we could get together at my apartment for dinner some evening Chef Wingo would cater it and we’d have

More privacy then in a restaurant great quillin said it was still too early to report to the courthouse so he strolled to the used bookstore it was located behind the post office on a back street that the city’s founding fathers in their wisdom had named back street it was hardly more

Than an alley and only a block long being dead ended at North and South by busy thoroughfares in the middle of the block huddled a stone edifice resembling a grotto built of Feld Spar that sparkled in the sunlight no wonder it was number one on every tourist sightseeing list it was originally a

Smitty but the blacksmith’s grandson had operated it as a used bookstore for more than 50 years and to celebrate its golden jubilee the city of pickax renamed the block book alley EDS additions it was called entering the shop and blinking to adjust from exterior sunshine to Interior Gloom

Quillin Stood Still and inhaled the familiar aroma of old books from damp basements clam chowder being heated for the book seller’s lunch and leftover sardines in the cat’s dish a large dust colored long hair patrolled the premises dusting the books with his plumed tail he knew quillin good morning Winston he

Said I bet I know what you had for breakfast Edington Smith heard the voice and came from the back room where he had his bookbinding equipment and living quarters quillin had been back there when he was writing a column on book binding and he remembered the man’s

Narrow cot the cracked mirror over the washbowl old-fashioned shaving tackle a two-burner gas stove a large box of matches and a small handgun Edington had a slight build that was shrinking with age his hair was gray his skin had a gray palor and his drab clothing Blended in with the gray covers

Of old books that were stacked on tables shelves and floor my best customer he said when he had adjusted his glasses and recognized sillin I found something special for you he hurried back into the inner sanctum there was another customer in the store a stranger with a flashlight

Risking his life on the rickety wooden stepladder querin thought he’s a book scout hunting for buried treasure when Edington returned he was clutching a large format book to his chest you’re interested in Egypt Mr Q here’s a beautiful volume not terribly old good condition scholarly text well Illustrated Mysteries of the Egyptian

Pyramids kerin glanced at the stepladder The Stranger was listening he was looking for a book he could buy for $3 and sell to an antiquarian book seller for 15 after which it would go into the catalog for 200 or 2,000 I’ll take it sight unseen quillin said how much how about

25 Ed said with a twinkle in his eye he had playful moods The Stranger dropped his flashlight isn’t that a little high Ed quillin was playing the game I’ll give you 20 sense he said he slipped $25 into the book seller’s hand you’re my best customer Edington said I’m leaving

My store to you in my will he always said that does the request include Winston quillin asked I’m not sure I could afford to feed him they were walking toward the door obviously the stranger was still listening anyton said he’s an old cat and doesn’t eat much but he likes to go

Out to dinner once in a while at a good restaurant Ed had never been in such a giddy mood quillin took the handsome book gave Ed the okay sign and went on his way to another adventure the shaft house motorcade lined up around Park Circle in front of

The courthouse a sheriff’s car three limousines for dignitaries an airport rental vehicle for the TV crew from down below three cars for news photographers and a florist’s van quillin hickie rice and Dwight sers would be chauffeuring The Limousines borrowed from the local Funeral Home their distinguished passengers would include three County Commissioners the

President of the Historical Society the county historian and his wife five direct descendants of the original mine owners and a fairly large dog the five direct descendants were Maggie sprinkle the rich Widow the elderly Jess poie who called himself a gentleman farmer although Maggie said he was no gentleman Amanda good winter

Businesswoman and council member Leslie Bates Harding age six and Burgess Campbell a lecturer on American history at the college blind from birth he was always accompanied by his Guy dog and both were well known in pickax Burgess for his sense of humor and Alexander for his good manners on this occasion the

Proud Scott was wearing a Highland dress Kilt sporen shoulder plaid and Glen Gary Bonnet Burgess you look Splendid quillin complimented him so do you he quipped there was confusion about who would ride with whom Maggie refused to ride in the same limousine with Jess POI Leslie wanted to ride with the dog Amanda

Shouted above the hubub I don’t care if I ride on the hood let’s get this show on the road it was decided that quillin’s passengers would be Maggie Leslie and the 98-year-old historian Homer TI it with his wife Leslie’s mother straightened his tie and combed his hair saying you’ll have your picture taken

And it’ll be in the newspaper Grandma will be so proud of you I’ll be here to pick you up when it’s over you’ll be riding with that nice man with a big mustache and he’ll take good care of you querin looked as scance at the youngster squirming in his little long

Pant suit white shirt and bow tie huffing into his mustache he said to Maggie no one told me I’d have to babysit she and Leslie took the seat behind the driver leaving the roomier back seat for the Tibbits Homer and his attentive wife Roda she had brought pillows to make a

Nest for his bony frame Leslie who had never seen anyone so old knelt on the seat and rode backwards staring at the furrowed fretful face after a while he pointed a finger at the Old Gentleman pulled an imaginary trigger and said ping Maggie said turn around and sit

Down Leslie and ass and your seat belt were going to start moving the signal was given and the motorcade pulled away from the courthouse and proceeded up Main Street where Shoppers stood on the curbs and cheered this was an important event for moose County for the next 4 hours the

Vehicles zigzagged through the countryside past the 10 mine sites on back roads and lightly traveled highways the first destination was the big be mine that had been owned and operated by Maggie’s great grand mother when the motorcade stopped all the car doors opened simultaneously and the passengers piled out gathering around

The bronze marker like all the mines it was now only an expanse of barren ground fenced and posted with warnings the only Relic being a weathered wood Tower about 40 ft High there was something mysterious even scary about The Silent lonely shaft houses Maggie and the chief commissioner were posed with the bronze

Plaque and a young woman from the florist’s van came running with a large wreath tied with purple ribbon to hang on the post supporting the marker photographers jockeyed for angles that would include the shaft house in the background then the commissioner made his speech about moose County’s proud

Mining Heritage the thousands of Miners and their families who had lived and died here the disasters they endured cave-ins explosions riots their primitive Villages of Huts a one room Schoolhouse a chapel and a company store now there was nothing left but the shaft house he talked a little too long and

The celebrators were glad to return to their cars quillin thought one down and only nine to go at the next mine associated with the Harding family there were more photographs another wreath and another speech by another politician who said other parts of the country have nagar

Falls the Grand Canyon of the Statue of Liberty we have 10 shaft houses a photographer told a direct descendant to take his thumb out of his mouth and try to smile but Leslie only cocked his finger at the man and said ping the rest of the afternoon was

Reported by quiller and himself in his personal Journal after the first five stops all the direct descendants had been photographed and had lost interest in the proceedings but they were trapped so were the other dignitaries photographers from the Bixby bugle and lockmaster Ledger had all the stuff they could use

And they left the TV crew drove back to the airport after shooting what they considered most newsworthy Amanda with her built-in scowl and scarecrow style of dressing and Burgess with his Kilt and Alexander the speeches were getting shorter and the listeners fewer Homer tibit refused to leave the limousine

Anymore and Leslie continued to torment him cocking his finger and saying ping kid if you do that one more time Homer screeched in his high-pitched voice I’ll bass you with my crutch his wife said Leslie dear he doesn’t have a crutch why don’t you sit up front with the driver

And you can shoot sheep and cows through the windshield thank you Roda I said sort ofi you’re a sweetheart so Leslie rode with me in the front seat and I guess I unnerved him by saying what kind of ammunition do you use do you have a license to carry a

Handgun how long have you belonged to the NRA after a while he pounded my arm and whispered something what he whispered again there we were in the middle of nowhere surrounded by Acres of Stony pasture with not a bush in sight so I leaned on the horn and brought brought

The motorcade to a stop I checked with the deputy wasn’t there a crossroad store nearby he said yes at the next intersection when we got there I grabbed Leslie by the wrist and virtually dragged him into the store the storekeeper was a character with a beard

About a foot long I said to him this young man wishes to use your restroom it ain’t a public toilet he said I didn’t say a word but dragged Leslie out to the sheriff’s car a few seconds later a deputy with a service gun in his holster

Conducted the boy back into the store meanwhile one of the politicians riding with Dwight went into the store and bought a pint of something by the time we arrived at our 10th mindsight the paws were stoned and the direct descendants were bored out of their skulls Homer was asleep the photographer

Had run out of film and the florist had run out of wreaths such is life in the Boondocks chapter 3 quillin placed his new old book from Ed’s shop on the coffee table it had a handsome jacket that had been protected by a plastic slip cover an illustration

Of pyramids Rising mysteriously from the desert he thought Egypt has pyramids we have shaft houses whenever something new was added the Siamese had to make an immediate inspection yum yum was subjective in her appraisal can it be battered around hidden under a rug chewed was inclined to be more objective

What is its purpose where did it come from why is it here Mysteries of the Egyptian pyramids came under close scrutiny yum yum rejected it on all counts Koko found that it had Merit and gave it his Blessing he sat on it quillin would read aloud from it before leaving for Sunday

Brunch and the silent auction they liked the sound of his voice whether he was reading about ancient Egypt or the World Series then at noon he gave them a crunchy treat and a few parting instructions drink plenty of water take your afternoon naps don’t make any long-distance phone calls they listened

Politely quillin picked up Polly and the Rikers in his van just in case he bought the 6×8 foot rug he wanted to be able to bring it home Arch and Mildred were eagerly awaiting an afternoon of food and Bargains in the company of their best friends the couple had found each

Other late in life and both had found new careers after retirement she was plump and pretty and loved to cook he was Pony and ruddy-faced and loved to eat beautiful day Mildred said as she climbed into the van it won’t be long before snow flies Polly said it’ll put

An end to the threat of wildfires Arch observed tell them what you’ve just found out hun his wife said yes it’ll be Monday’s Banner story a geologist from the state university called and said there’s a similar situation in Canada in abandoned Minds it’s quite possible that fires have been smoldering underground

For as much as a century normal rainfall keeps them under control but they surface as spontaneous conflagrations when drought conditions Prevail all our minds are set to be connected you know no I’ve never heard that Paulie said we should have constant surveillance of the mine area but the sheriff claims to have

Insufficient vehicles and Personnel for a stepped up Patrol that’s the bad news the good news comes from moose County Community College Burgess Campbell students propose a citizen fire watch volunteers will drive their own Vehicles over prescribed routes in three-hour shifts they’ll use cell phones to report smoke or burning weeds to a hotline

Mildred was always optimistic they won’t have any trouble in listing volunteers it’s a temporary thing until snow flies and it’s for a good cause everyone wants to save the shaft houses Arch said tomorrow’s paper will be a fat issue the Wildfire emergency the motorcade the silent auction how was the motorcade

Quail interesting he said Tipsy’s Tavern in nearby Kennebec was a Roadhouse in a sprawling Log Cabin that had been noted for good food since the 1930s the founder had named it after his cat a white one with comical black markings and her portrait hung in the

Main dining room at one time there had been a Countrywide controversy over her feet in the painting should they be black or white customers were in complete agreement about the Steak and Fish however it was the best the Sunday brunch was a recent Innovation offering anything you want as

Long as its eggs they were laid this morning by happy hens in our own backyard the yolks were domed and intensely orange yellow a good sign according to Mildred the house specialty was called eggs Tipsy a large English muffin was split and grilled then each half was topped with a homemade sausage

Patty a poached egg and melted cheddar cheese local grandmothers waited on tables at quillin’s table they entertained themselves by bandying superlatives Tipsy is the oldest restaurant in the county the McIntosh room at the end is the newest and best Lois’s lunchonette is the shabbiest and friendliest Otto’s tasty eats until it

Closed took top honors for being the worst and the noisiest and probably made the most money Otto has a building up for sale there’s a rumor it’s going to be an antique Village a Cooperative where dealers rent spaces and take turns minding the store kerin knew his guests liked a

Bloody mary before brunch and he ordered four but make mine without the Vodka he said I’m underage yes Sunny said the white-haired waitress when drinks were served Arch proposed a toast to Lenny inchot who had won the last bike race before snow flies his mother will be thrilled Polly said

Lois will be serving free coffee tomorrow Lenny’s a good kid ambitious hardworking conscientious Mildred the only moose County native in the forsome said he doesn’t take after his father Mr inchot never did a day’s work in his life he was always ill Lois said she looked after him raised their son and supported

Them by running the lunchroom and by the way her husband drank a little saying it was good for his condition one day he came out of a bar stepped in front of a truck and was killed Lois went all to pieces until she found out the truth Dr

Good winter didn’t tell her but his nurse did there’ never been anything wrong with Mr inchot he was a malingerer arch said that should later rest the notion that all the bad guys are in large cities and all the good guys are in small towns and how about

The forgery ring Millie that was way back when I started teaching three all a students were signing report cards writing absence excuses and do doing the other kids homework the two men exchanged glances they had grown up together in Chicago kerin said the only time we got into trouble it was for

Humorous pranks like putting glue on the teacher’s chair cushion Arch added cute said Mildred they ordered eggs Tipsy all around and the plates arrived in about 2 minutes what took you so long Arch asked got to wait for the hens to lay the eggs the white-haired waitress

Said the freshness of the eggs flavor of the sausage crispness of the grilled muffins and zippin of the cheese were duly noted then conversation turned to the Haiku contest being sponsored by quillin’s column his readers were invited to compose poems inspired by the Japanese style mailing them on postal

Cards to the something winners would have the thrill of seeing their entries printed on page two and each would receive a fat yellow lead pencil stamped with quill pen in Gold Arch said our mail room is swamped the response is doubled out of last year that’s amazing considering we don’t offer a two-e

Vacation in Hawaii or a year supply of chocolate coated potato chips quillin said people of all ages and walks of life like Hau because the form is written in plain language about common experiences and emotions and sometimes with a Whimsical slant an early Japanese poet wrote don’t worry my

Housekeeping is casual and one of last year’s winners wrote I never know what to say when I speak to a butterfly he had promised that the winning ha coup would be printed before snowf flies you didn’t give them much time to create masterpieces mild remarked the shorter the deadline the

More response we get give them a month to think and they forget all about it what’s new at the Art Center mild there’s an interesting new artist in town her husband is the new dermatologist from Chicago she’s joined the art center she specializes in batik wall hangings what are those Arch asked

It’s a centuries old method of painting on fabric using wax and dye quillin informed him enjoying his one-upmanship how do you know I get around I’m having dinner with her and the doctor Tuesday night they want some advice on adjusting to the small town culture how’ you like to write an advice

Column for the SU thing Arch came back you could call it Q-tips they skipped the bread pudding and there was no lingering over coffee their minds were on the auction it was being staged at the Community Hall Not only was the parking lot filled but the police were allowing cars to park on

Both sides of Main Street at the entrance an older woman greeted quillin with an exuberant hug and shook hands with with his guests she was Maggie sprinkle the same Rich Widow who had donated the bronze plaques who served loyally on the library board and who spent long hours at the animal

Shelter as a volunteer many of those in attendance had bought tickets to support a good cause and spent their time circling the refreshment table in the center of the hall or making friends with the puppies and kittens waiting to be adopted yipping and mewing extending Paws through the bars of their cages serious

Auction goers headed for the bidding tables where antiques decorative objects and handcrafted items were on display there were rows of folding chairs here and there where guests would sit and sip punch Maggie a gracious Hostess would ask them how do you like the punch I made it myself are you doing

Any bidding keep an eye on the bidding sheets and don’t let anyone top you every item is worth at least twice the minimum beard quillin perused the offerings quickly until he found the Danish Ria a rug draped over a rack and spread out over a table the bidding sheet said

Minimum bid $500 minimum raise $50 no names had been signed to the sheet no bids had been made he signed for 500 the rackers came along and Arch said in Surprise are you bidding on that a check of the bidding sheets indicated that Polly was bidding on a pair of

Italian porcelain parrots Arch who considered himself a serious and knowledgeable collector was bidding on a piece of Rusty tin quillin said to him are you bidding on that it’s a fabulous piece of folk art in painted tin he was informed it’s a matchbox the idea is

That the cat scares the mice away from the matches guarding the matchbox was the head of a cat with large rapacious eyes its tail formed a hook for hanging on a wall what are they bidding on this quillin asked it’s up to 250 I’m willing to go go three

300 even at that it’s a steal a connoisseur of old painted tin Arch had built an enviable collection down below only to lose it in a divorce settlement his ex-wife then had the affron to open an antique shop and name it tin and stuff quillin said nice piece of tin

Hope you get it he himself went back to the Danish rug to check the bidding there was not a single name on the sheet other than his own chuckling to himself self he raised his own bid and signed Ronald Fritz then he went in search of Polly how’s it going he asked they’re

Pushing the price is too high I’m dropping out how about you Quail someone else is bidding on the rug that Fran Brody wanted me to have but I’m keeping my eye on it the crowd was moving toward the stage at the end of the hall and he rounded up

His party for a show featuring professional canines and their handlers first there was a German Shepherd from the moose County Sheriff’s Department trained for search and rescue he had found lost children missing persons fugitives and accident victims he listened modestly as his Handler extolled his intelligence and perseverance he never gives

Up from Bixby County came a black Labrador Retriever trained for drug searching she amused The Audience by retrieving a folded towel again and again with unflagging enthusiasm her Handler said in training sessions narcotics of different kinds are wrapped in the towel in a drug rid she can spot nine kinds of

Contraband the audience waited expectantly for another extraordinary dog when who should amble on stage but the 6’8 Derek cutle Brink with his guitar the audience screamed and applauded after strumming a few chords with a bouncy Rhythm moose County’s favorite young man about town sang with a nasal twang I found my puppy in

Pickaxe at the Animals Shelter one day I was feeling down when I come to town and I took him home to stay he was just a little white puppy with a black spot round his eye but he bumbled and he yipped and he nuzzled and he nipped and he kissed my Blues

Goodbye singing again everyone yelled he strummed a few chords everybody sing loudly and unsure of the lyrics they sang I found my puppy and pickaxe da da da da da da Polly groaned they like it quillin said it’s the kind of inane jingle that haunts one

I’ll have to hum the halleluya chorus to get it out of my mind Derek loped off the stage with the lazy long-legged gate that his groupies adored you know quill Maggie sprinkle commissioned him to write it for the occasion but he wouldn’t take money for it and rightly so quillin said as he

Looked at his watch Excuse me while I check the bidding no one but him and the fictitious Ronald Fritz had placed a bid on the Danish rug he raised the bid to a thousand under his own name telling himself it was a good cause then he checked the porcelain

Parrots biders had been active a minute before the deadline he raised the bid under his name a bell rang and biders flocked to the display tables there were groans of disappointment and cries of success he wrote checks for the rug and the parrots and presented the matter to

Polly this is your Christmas gift you’ve already given me my Christmas gift she protested showing a handsome Cameo ring and it’s only October this is your Christmas gift for next year Arch paid for his tin Matchbox and Mildred asked him to write a check for a Chinese porcelain Bowl she had bought

Quillin said to Maggie sprinkle I was hoping you’d donate the French Crystal pitcher I admired at your house when I was there I would have bit high on it you have good taste quill that’s a St Louis lead crystal Martini picture from the steamship liberte it’s documented Mr

Sprinkle and I crossed the Atlantic many times on the French liners the forsome drove back to Indian village saying good Hall lots of laughs wasn’t Derek a scream Maggie says a lot of kittens and puppies were adopted they laid quiller in’s new rug and said not my taste but gorgeous absolutely wild

Why it’s and Siamese colors when the guests had gone the Siamese emerged from nowhere cautiously to confront the wonder that had been added to their world yum yum never walked across an area rug of any size or composition always taking the long way around to reach her destination and the

New obstacle was 6 by8 with deep pile even coko was dubious about the wild tumble of Yarns with ears and whiskers back he sniffed the edge and put forth a trembling paw to test it it Dead or Alive they both jumped when the phone rang it was the attorney g Allen barter

What’s up Bart quillin asked briskly such a call on a Sunday sounded urgent I just had a call from the hospital Edington Smith died this afternoon heart attack he’d had a history of heart trouble you know he was able to press the medical alert button but they

Couldn’t save him he was one of our pro bono clients so they called me he has no family this is astounding quillin said I saw him in the store yesterday and he was in a playful mood although he never looked healthy well what can I say a lot

Of us will miss him and wait a minute Bart what about Winston we’ll find a good home for him meanwhile someone should feed him we’ll send one of our clerks over he eats only sardines Cynthia knows that she fed Winston last year while Ed was hospitalized quillin said I’ll write an

Oit for tomorrow’s paper I probably knew him as well as anyone did yeah yes he considered you more of a friend than a customer you may know that his will makes you heir to the bookstore building an all what he used to joke about it but

It was no joke but we can talk about that later meanwhile yes you’re the right one to do the obituary chapter 4 kerin knew what time she would be leaving for work on Monday morning he waited on his doorstep until her small car backed out of its underground slot

Then went to meet her she lowered the car window Quail you can’t imagine how perfect the parrots are on my mantle beautiful glaze wonderful shade of green and so tasteful I can’t help wondering who donated them I’m curious about the Danish rug no one in this neck of the woods has any

Contemporary whereas it been for the last 50 years it accomplishes what FR wanted it Sparks the whole room she’s sending over a few more items with decorative Pizzaz have the cats pronounced their verdict about the rug po Polly asked the jury is still out they’ll have to

Deliberate for a couple of days but on a serious note polly have you heard about Edington Smith it was on the air I haven’t been listening he died yesterday heart attack oh that dear man Polly said he was approaching 80 and was never healthy but he did all the repairs and

Book binding for the library in that stuffy back room we shall miss him I stayed up half the night riding obituary quillin said and I must admit it’s one of my better pieces of ferary Pros would your board of directors consider a memorial to Edington an annual scholarship or essay contest for the

Lower grades or both the K fund would go 50/50 definitely I’ll call a special meeting tonight be sure to send a release to the newspaper I will what are you doing today quill just puttering around when the Black commercial van came slowly down River Road yum yum

Disappeared but coko hopped on and off the window sill in excitement as if he knew this was an authorized delivery the door of the van was Tastefully lettered in Gold Amanda’s Studio of interior design the driver was a big blonde fellow in a black nylon jacket lettered on the back Mudville

Curlers quillin went out to meet him are you on the curling team in sawdust City yep said the young man as he started to unload I hear that’s quite an interesting sport yep first he brought in the Square Brown lamp shade for the square based copper lamp it was obviously 10 times better

Than the former shade which was round and ivory colored next came the bowl of shiny red apples and the pair of red pillows for the sofa followed by a crate of five plant pots filled with red geraniums what are those asked the surprised customer plants she said to

Put them up there on the top railing on the balcony that’s what she said the pots were placed at intervals of about a foot Fran always insisted that four are better than three and five are better than four she never stated her reasoning anyone as attractive and talented as Fran needed no

Reasons finally came the wall hanging measuring 3×4 it covered much of the brick chimney breast a stylized nature study of two red breasted Robins tugging a worm out of a lawn everything was super scale the Robins in the foreground as big as turkeys the green leaves in

The background as big as a pizza and the worm as big as a salami after hanging it and checking it with a small level the installer stood back to survey it cool he said to quillin they’re Robins they’re big enough to be turkeys quillin observed yeah artists do crazy things like

That quillin did his puttering at the office of the Moose County something when he handed in copy for the obituary he scanned page proofs and checked photos and final drafts there were photos of 10 minds and five direct descendants coverage on the silent auction included shots of Derek cuddle

Brink and the two G dogs as well as a satisfied customer carrying a away a rocking chair Edington Smith’s farewell ran on the obituary page with a photo of the store and a photo file shot of the late book seller only quillin knew the story behind the story of the motorcade

The politician speeches getting shorter and shorter dignitaries refusing to leave The Limousines the county historian asleep on a back seat nine wreaths for 10 mines and a direct descendant taking pot shots at everyone with his index finger ping and more in the column of news briefs on the

Business page quillin found three items of note the pickaxe shop of xbridge and Cobb fine antiques has achieved the longtime goal of Susan xbridge acceptance as an exhibitor at the Eastside settlement house antique show in New York one of the most prestigious in the country Theo Morgan MD and David

Todd MD both of Chicago have arrived here to open the Moose County Dermatology Clinic in the medical center Specialties are skin diseases plastic surgery and liposuction Donald xbridge CEO of XYZ Enterprises announces the dissolution of the 8-year-old Corporation and the formation of a new Enterprise donx and Associates the move coincides with the

Resignation of two principles Henry Zer is reti retiring and Casper young will establish his own construction business the flagship development of XYZ Indian village will continue under the management of donx the new pet Plaza in kbec is booked to capacity for October according to a spokesperson it is designed for pet

Owners who feel guilty about leaving their loved ones in a boarding kennel while they take luxury cruises reservations are being accepted for November quillin enjoyed a few Chuckles over the news briefs they had been slyly edited with Don xbridge ex-wife as the lead item while Don’s new firm was sandwiched

Between skin diseases and animal Hospitality had the billboard prank caused the upheaval who were the unnamed Associates it was a good excuse to visit Susan xbridge shop on Main Street darling how wonderful to see you she exclaimed in the dramatic manner she affected did you come to spend money or

Scrunch a cup of coffee the latter I’m honest to a fault also I want to congratulate you on making the New York show your late partner would be proud of you thank you the show is too grand for words he followed her to the office through an aisle of polished mahogany

And Brass do you want your coffee black please there was another interesting item on the business page today what do you suppose donx and Associates have up their corporate sleeve nothing entirely honorable I’m sure quillin said I’ve never met the Y and Z part of the firm

They’re well rid of the connection if you ask me Cass young is a nice young man Dr Zer is a nice older man he gave up his dental practice because he couldn’t bear to hurt his patience besides he was better at playing the stock market than filling teeth and he

Had family money to play with is it true that you’ve moved to the village for the winter you and Polly must attend the rally in the clubhouse to support Amanda’s candidacy you know bring that new neighbor of yours I’d like to meet a rare book dealer what’s his name kurtwell

Nightingale I like him already I have a new neighbor too an older woman from Baltimore recently retired she has some fabulous 18th century Americana that I’d like to buy what is she doing 400 mil north of everywhere Quin inquired she lost her husband and her son thought she

Should come here quillin said I hope she likes snowshoeing and ice fishing what did she do before she retired accounting but her hobby is astrology serious astrology she’s highly regarded on the East Coast according to her son and I’d like to see her get established here she’s giving a lecture at the clubhouse

And I’ve commissioned her to do my natal chart quillin thought the woman probably owns a priceless he white sideboard that Susan wants to take to the New York show Susan suggested why don’t you have Mrs Young do your chart quill you mean my horoscope I’m not talking about the silly things your

Paper prints to fill space on the comic page darling simply provide the place date and hour of your birth and Mrs Young Will chart the effect of the planets on your past present and future quillin huffed into his mustache he knew his past and present and preferred not to know his future on

Impulse he asked who’s her son the Y in XYZ Enterprises but he’s going out on his own do you happen to know the hour of your birth quill not too many persons do 7 minutes after 11 p.m. a lucky number my mother said I’d say you were

Lucky darling off and on could I have my chart done anonymous ly you can use an assumed name and I won’t reveal anything about you that way the chart will be a demonstration of the Integrity of the science and Mrs Young’s skill he wrote down the data required and the name Ronald

Fritz how much is this little charade going to cost no more than you can afford another cup no thanks but it’s good what brand of inston decaf do you buy get out she screamed he started to wander out through the empty store customers aren’t breaking down your doors today it’s

Monday he sauntered past chip Andale Queen Anne chinois re then stopped before a framed piece of needle work the embroidery threads were faded and the linen was dark with age alphabet blocks were stitched to make a border and in the center was a boy jumping over a lighted Candlestick the inscription read

Jack Bean nimble Jack be quick what’s that he asked a sampler late 19th century Susan said not what I usually have in my shop but it came in a box of quite good Engravings I wish I had a buck for every time that nursery rhyme was recited to

Me in our house the rule was be quick but never in a hurry the last time I was in a hurry I was rushing out to play baseball with the kids and I fell down some concrete steps had 12 stitches taken on my upper lip he pattered his

Mustache your mother must have been a saint quill to make a responsible adult out of a brat like you I’m sure you were a brat yes but a decent one how much for the sampler take it she said I’ll never sell it on the way home quillin tuned into W

Pkx on his car radio to catch the hourly news and heard Derek cuddle Brink singing in his country Western twang I found my puppy in pickaxe that Rogue he thought has been to the station and taped it and they’ll play at ad nauseum until Christmas a lot

Of puppies and kittens might be adopted but it’ll drive the radio audience up the wall the Broadcast News was merely a condensation of that day’s moose County something with the exception of a bulletin moose county is in dire crisis to into W pkx tonight at 8:00 as Civic leaders confront the threat of

Widespread fire throughout the countryside forests and small villages drastic action is needed every citizen should tune in tonight at 8 alert your friends and neighbors while kerin was downtown the Siamese were acquainting themselves with the new acquisitions returning home he found a corner of the deep pile rug

Turned up and and two of his yellow pencils hidden underneath yum yums doing in the foyer the new shade on the copper lamp had been Twisted out of square with the base Coco’s doing that cat enjoyed rubbing his jaw against the bottom edge of the shades otherwise all was well the

Red apples were in their bowl on the coffee table the red geraniums were lined up on the balcony railing and the red robins were still tugging at their worm over the fireplace Place quillin said to them I’ve brought something else for you to inspect and he

Hung the Jack B Nimble sampler over a kitchen counter the 8:00 newscast with all its urgency and disturbing import was a good excuse for quillin to invite his new neighbor in for a drink but when he phoned Nightingale hesitated I’m an IOP phobe have no quals the cats will be

Confined to their quarters on the balcony quillin assured him what do you like to drink just a little vodka on the rocks in preparation quillin filled two bowls with mixed nuts and hid the glove box he was not supposed to have the siese were given an extra snack and ushered

Upstairs Kurt Nightingale arrived a quarter hour before the program was due to start as he entered he darted glances into corners and shadows as if expecting to be ambushed once reassured he took seat on the sofa of course he noticed the book on the coffee table are you

Interested in Egypt I can get you the journals of bonapart in Egypt in 1779 to 1801 10 volumes in half leather with scientific translations in Arabic sounds interesting quillin said more politely than honestly how much only 700 that’s something to think about definitely do you know David

Roberts it seemed like like an Abrupt change of subject kerin knew two men by that name the sports editor at the paper and the mechanic at gibl garage fortunately he had the good sense to ask which one the 18th century artist who painted Egyptian deserts in architecture there are three volumes that you’d

Appreciate with more than a 100 handcolored lithographs published in 1846 the color is not the original you understand but it’s early quillin nodded yes of course what’s being asked you could have the three volumes large format for under 60,000 we’ll have to talk about that quillin said as he looked at his watch

And tuned in to the 8:00 program music was abruptly interrupted heightening the sense of urgency then the station announcer said tens of thousands of County residents will hear this program and realize the need for Action he introduced the president of the County Commissioners who had lauded the shaft houses in Flowery terms and

Now seemed solemnly concerned dry conditions Subterranean fires creeping to the surface and the chance that high winds could sweep across the landscape and Destroy 200 square miles of farms forests and towns converting this fair county of ours into charcoal overnight it happened in the 19th century and could happen again routine patrols are

Not enough our only defense is constant surveillance around the clock we have 15 unteer fire departments on the alert equipped to put down small fires before they become big fires but they must know their location to the rescue comes the citizens firat ready to swing into action at midnight chairman Ernie kle

Will describe the operation first let me remind you folks that this idea was proposed by Burgess Campbell’s American history students at MCCC who have been working industriously to plan the operation kle booming voice was well known since selling his insurance agency and retiring he had played roles in

Theater Club Productions and had been named volunteer of the Year briefly he said private citizens will drive their own cars through the back roads around mines looking for wildfires and Reporting them to a hotline by cell phone they will drive in three-hour patrols around an area divided into four segments some of our

Civic leaders upon hearing the plan volunteered immedi many more are needed additional phone lines have been hooked up here at the station and committee members are waiting to sign you up and answer your questions he mentioned Amanda good winter Derek cutle Brink Dr Diane LPE Wan mccannel Scott gipple and others the

Roster of prominent names inspired action and new names were broadcast as fast as they volunteered cample answered questions yes you can request daylight or nighttime hours you’ll be given a detailed map of your segment if you don’t have a cell phone one will be provided about gas good

Question anyone driving to or more 3-hour patrols can claim gas mileage from a kitty established by the K fund yes by all means take a partner neighbor friend family member to help with the fire spotting the first three-hour Patrol is your donation to the calls glad you mentioned that MCCC students

Who volunteer will receive credits for community service cars will be identified by a small white pennant on the right front fender smile when you see one kle made a final reminder scheduling cars for 24 hours a day is tricky business and allows for no last minute cancellations or no shows when

You volunteer you are protecting your county and your home also bear in mind that this is not a long-term commitment your help is needed only until snow flies quillin turned off the radio and said proudly oh only in a closely knit County like this could you facilitate a

Project so fast refresh your drink Kurt there was a shattering crash Nightingale jumped to his feet my God what’s that quillin glanced upward and saw coko on the balcony railing staring down at the mess he had created Kurt followed his glance sorry got to get out of here

Thanks for the drink he rushed to the front door quillin stroked his mistake as a host he should feel embarrassed and yet nightingale’s frantic exit was not enlisting his sympathy nevertheless he would write a note of apology it was partly his own fault he had forgotten that Koko knew

How to operate a lever type door handle and Koko was only teasing playing cat and mouse the cat sensed a likely victim perhaps it was a mistake to let Fran Brody put such objects on a balcon railing the fact was the row of five pots looked good now there were

Four quillin phoned Polly and related the incident then waited for her reaction she paused I know I should feel chagrined but why do I find it comic I hope you had hidden the glove box have no fear what do you think about the citizens firewatch better to light one small

Candle than to curse the darkness as the saying goes will you volunteer for a patrol most likely I’ll ride shotgun with weatherbe chapter 5 two topics of conversation occupi downtown pickax on Tuesday the citizens firewatch and the loss of Edington Smith Town folk were filled with sorrow

On the one hand and Hope on the other as they shared their thoughts at the post office a Civic meeting place built in Moose County’s Heyday when pickax expected to become a northern Chicago its interior walls had been covered with murals in the 1930s a federal project to give work to

Unemployed artists during the Great Depression the post office and the bookstore were the city’s two tourist attractions quillin bought some postage stamps and listened the college President volunteered to take a fire patrol those two new doctors signed up in our family we have three on patrol I just pray dear

Lord don’t let the wind rise the kids wanted to stay home from school so they could firewatch with their daddy Edington was a nice little old man but he didn’t eat right and I told him so can’t be healthy breathing all that dust Wonder what’ll happen to his cat Wonder

What’ll happen to his books quillin still astonished at the terms of edington’s will walked to book alley to view his inheritance the bookstore glittered in the middle of the block like a Crown Jewel on either side were 19th century storefronts with tall windows on one side were Albert’s

Dry cleaning and Granny’s Sweet Shop she knew everyone’s weakness Mr Q liked dark chocolate with nuts on the other side were Gilda’s gift shop and Brenda’s Unisex Hair Salon quillin patronized an old-fashioned Barber with a revolving barber pole in front of his shop a sign in the bookstore window said

Closed it was dark inside but the movement of a waving tail could be glimpsed in the Gloom Winston had been fed and was doing his dusting chores as usual Albert saw quillin and opened the door Mr Q your pants already quillin walked across the street Well Albert

What are we going to do without Edington the dry cleaner shook his head that’s store was the lifeblood of this block people came from all over to see it not too long ago a real estate guy from Bixby came around and wanted to buy it

Not a chance then he wanted to buy the storefronts but our landlord wouldn’t sell no telling what they do tear the whole block down maybe and build a strip mall Winston seems to be all right yes I see a girl coming to feed him we should

Run a Saab story about Winston with his photo and find a new home for him quillin said if you want to go in and see him Albert said Ed always left the key under the doormat at the back door may I use your phone quillin called the photo lab at the something and

Requested a shot of Edington Smith’s cat for the next day’s deadline not a mug shot he stipulated he looks too ferocious preferably broadside showing the plumed tail the key is under the doormat at the rear and be sure the cat doesn’t run out before leaving the block quillin had

A last look at the bookstore wondering if possibly the college would accept the property and set up a work and learn project for students not a bad idea Polly could give the benefit of her Library science training and Kurt could lecture on rare books there was plenty

Of time to consider it how long the estate would be in Probate was anyone’s guess the book seller’s funeral was a small one as the Modest Old Man would wish Edington Smith was laid to rest in a Hilltop Cemetery beyond the city limits alongside his father the Elder

Smith had been a door-to-door book salesman bringing dictionaries and encyclopedias to Country folk who had little schooling years later their purchases turned up in estate sales and then edington’s shop many of them as good as new the pastor of the little Stone Church officiated at the funeral and

Quillin said a few words books were edington’s life although he was not a reader himself his mission was to supply books to readers and F readers for books his building on Book Alley had been his grandfather’s blacksmith shop and it was a long leap from shoe horses to binding

Books but it was part of Ed’s passion for books to make an old book new again as a person he was more of a friend than a businessman always generous steadfast and kind whenever one of his customers passed on he would say there is a better

Land far far away and his seamy face would radiate a moment’s joy as if he heard the song of angels as we say farewell to Edington let us bid him God’s speed to a better land far far away the few MERS walked quietly down the hill to their

Cars quillin did Pie’s grocery shop shopping ensuring himself an invitation to dinner and then went home to read his newspaper on the editorial page he found a letter that surprised him to the editor compliments to the shaft house preservation initiative on their success in having the abandoned Minds declared

Historic places we should all cheer Saturday ceremony that dedicated the bronze plaques our mining Heritage is unique let us not forget the miners Villages that surrounded the mines the miners lining up at dawn to climb down a ladder into the lower depths working like dogs for 10 hours climbing back up

A thousand feet of ladder with blackened faces and empty stomachs sometimes perishing in mine explosions that left whole Villages fatherless when we admired the cubistic architecture of the shaft houses let us not forget the human sacrifice that allowed vast fortunes to be made made for a

Few it was the signature that took him by surprise Don xbridge of suffix Township to dramatize the moment another pot of geraniums fell from the balconing railing and crashed on the living room floor he looked up to see a boldly impudent Coco enjoying his Mischief there was no point in scolding

It had been Folly to put the plants there in the first place it was one of those decorator touches that querin succumbed to once in a while simply because Fran was glib glamorous and Brody’s daughter he swept up the debris and returned to his newspaper only to discover the editorial page torn into

Shreds what’s more Coco was right there waiting to take credit for his depredations the cat had oblique ways of communicating and this this could mean one of two things either he wanted shredded paper in his commode instead of the expensive dust prooof litter that came in large bags or he was saying that

Don xb’s letter was a fake quillin agreed with the latter the sentimentality the caring about Heritage even the word cubistic were all out of character for the bottom liner who couldn’t care less about history environment and the Arts who was his Ghost Rider and what was it all

About quillin discussed the matter with Polly when he reported for dinner I’ll read a letter to the editor and you guess who wrote it she guessed several members of the historical society and the genealogy Club Don xbridge he announced what’s happened to him Polly gasped either he’s been hit on

The head or he’s going to be a father for the first time or he’s hired a spin doctor to give donx and Associates a new corporate image what’s on the menu tonight only leftovers she said a ragu of last week’s chicken soup and this weekend’s coule with garlic croutons and

A sprinkling of goat cheese I hope you like it paully you could open a restaurant with your leftovers you could call it leftovers incorporated or Deja Vu or not they savored the Ragu in silence for a few minutes and then she said those were beautiful words you spoke at edington’s

Funeral glad to see your dear ladies attended that was their private name for the white haired well-bred conservative wealthy women who served on the library board of directors yes it was sweet of them who was the young woman with Mr barter Cynthia the law clerk who’s feeding

Winston in the interim she asked to attend the man in a plaid shirt was Albert the dry cleaner I thought I recognized him I was in book alley this noon having my hair done during my lunch hour and Brenda told me some wild news Don xbridge his wife has filed for

Divorce his second or third he’s had only two she’s the mousy one we met last year when they invited us to dinner she reminded me of my mother-in-law who squeezed toothpaste onto her husband’s toothbrush every day for 40 years such wely devotion correction the Elder Mrs Duncan

Was a Thrifty Scott who didn’t like to see Denice wasted oh quill you’re so cynical not at all a survey shows that men use toothpaste more lavishly than women do and budget conscious wives are on a cost cutting campaign that alarms marketing Specialists and interests psychologist IST s a 50% cut in

Toothpaste consumption could be a blow to the economy you’re inventing this quaill Polly laughed you’re plotting another hoax on your readers you’ll have them measuring the toothpaste on family toothbrushes and sending their reports to the something on postal cards you have no faith in me he said as he helped himself to

Seconds what’s that on the sideboard it looks like Maggie’s French martini picture it’s yours now she brought it to the library today she wants very much for you to have it he gasped she shouldn’t have it’s too much but I accept quillin declined dessert stewed

Figs with yogurt saying he had to take a nap before firew watching with weatherbe he left shortly swinging the pitcher by its sturdy handle wait till Coco and yum yum see it they’ll know it came from a household with five cats as it turned out the Siamese knew

Not only the Providence of the piture but also the sex of Maggie’s cats all females Coco nuzzled it enthusiastically but yum yum backed away and bushed her tail at 11:00 p.m. quillin gave the cats their bedtime snack then led the ceremonial March upstairs with Coco second in line and yum trailing a lazy

Third he ushered them into their room said good night turned out the light and closed the door this was the tucking in ritual in his Boyhood his mother had tucked him in nightly listening to his prayers tucking the bed covers under his chin giving his forehead a good night

Kiss wishing him pleasant dreams he wondered how much of it was motherly affection and how much was a motherly prayer check he hated to hurt the feelings of the only parent he had but on his 10th birthday he ventured that he was too old for tucking in she

Understood the Siamese had no such objections and after they were tucked in quiller and dressed for firew watching and awaited the signal from his neighbor all set to go Joe would a thermos of hot coffee be appropriate brilliant idea they rode in weatherby’s Van which had a white flag flying from a

Front fender affixed by a magnet we’ll be cruising at a slower speed than other vehicle traffic actually there won’t be much traffic at this hour on the secondary roads will be traveling the flags are borrowed from dingleberry Funeral Home City funerals don’t use flags anymore the procession

Races to the cemetery at normal speed with a police escort somehow that doesn’t seem respectful but I’m just a country boy from horseradish following their map they zigzagged through back roads and phoned all clear to the courthouse operator at each checkpoint traffic was light except for a half hour when the bars closed

Once weatherbe stopped and shown his headlights on a new building that looked like a Swiss Chalet the new curling club he said I don’t curl but I’m a member and that’s where I go to relax we should go some night what facilities do they have quillin asked three rinks spectator

Gallery warming room with bar locker room I’ve seen pictures of players on the ice with large stones and little brooms what’s it all about in 25 words or less are you counting weatherbe asked well the idea is to slide the stone across the ice and into the target area

A skilled player can make the stone do tricks curl around another Stone take out an opponent’s Stone fascinating what does a stone weigh 42 LB carved from Scottish Granite do players have their own stones and take them home like bowling balls no stones have to be refrigerated or they’ll melt the ice

Apart from the conversation it had been a dull expedition in the first 24 hours of the firewatch there had been only one brush fire resulting when a truck accident knocked down a power line there had been no smoldering or black smoke in any of the four M zones the volunteer

Fire departments had it easy but the night was not over after saying good night to his neighbor quillin unlocked his front door and saw a scene of Destruction a table lamp had been toppled and was hanging upside down from its cord the Danish rug was bunched red pillows wooden apples magazines and

Desktop papers were on the floor geraniums were in the kitchen sink it meant only one thing quillin knew a cat fit a prediction of trouble probably the big one having given the warning coko was lying on the mantle exhausted yum yum was hiding methodically quillin began putting the room together

Again halfway through his task he suddenly stopped and listened a boom like a cannon shot a rumble like thunder he rushed outdoors in minutes the fire trucks could be heard racing from various directions converging on pickaxe a sickening thought occurred to to him it was the Macintosh Inn again a year

Before when it was the pickaxe Hotel it had been bombed by a psychopath from down below already a red glow was building in the black Sky he snatched a jacket and his keys and ran for his van chapter 6 downtown was a blaze with flashing lights and search lights and a three

Block area was closed to traffic a thick column of smoke was Rising where Flames had been contained quillin parked and walked closer it was not the Inn was it the post office his press card admitted him as far as the Yellow Tape where he asked an officer is it the post office

No Mr Q behind the post office incredible kerin thought he skirted the yellow tape to the North End of book alley the bookstore was a roofless shell belting smoke firefighters were pouring water on the roofs of nearby buildings flickers of light on the pavement came from shattered glass what happened

Quillin asked a firefighter with a suit covered face who was taking a breather explosion Mr Q roof blew off books went up like a bonfire nothing left but the stone walls it was the voice of a sheep farmer he knew you’re you’re Terren ogy black creek volunteer fire department

Yes of course kin was remembering his visit to the back room where Edington lived and did his book binding a kerosene stove for heat a propane burner for cooking a big box of matches and Winston there was a cat he said in alarm couldn’t possibly survive two fire trucks from outlying

Villages were pulling away how long will you stay here Terren some of us will stay all night watching for hot spots they were standing with their backs to a vacant lot overgrown with weeds there’s a candidate for a fire right there first thing we did we it down all it would

Take is one spark something made quillin turn abruptly to look at the lot Winston he shouted a large black bedraggled animal was prowling toward him through the wet weeds that’s Winston you’d never recognize him hearing his name knowing the voice associating it with a frequent can of sardines Winston approached

Quiller in confidently he’s a mess and if he was blown through the roof he could be hurt if I could get hold of him I’d take him to the Pet Hospital cats are resilient the question is how did he get out where’s your car Mr Q on Main

Street two blocks away bring it around I’ll keep an eye on him Shepherds empathize with animals querin had learned and animals trust them in 10 minutes he was backing the van up to the Yellow Tape opening the tailgate and taking out an old blanket careful Mr Q you can get scratched and

He’s covered with soot good cat good cat quillin mumbled as he gathered Winston in the blanket a switching tail slapped him in the face and across his newly cleaned suede jacket as he drove away his hands were black the steering wheel was black and he left a black smudge on

The emergency Bell at the pet hospital the night attendant who came to the door exclaimed Mr Q what happened to your face I have a cat in my car who survived a fire and explosion how big big using a large plastic to carrier she transported Winston to the emergency room he doesn’t

Look seriously injured she reported I’ll clean him up and the doctor will examine him first thing in the morning what’s his name Winston Churchill early the next morning quillin phoned the attorney at home sorry to wake you Bard have you heard about Book Alley what what was the Sleepy response

Explosion in the bookstore whole building gutted all the books destroyed when when 3:00 this morning I heard the boom and hurried downtown Winston is safe he’s at the pet hospital you might notify Cynthia she doesn’t have to feed him yes yes shall I take the initiative

In finding him a new home please please barter was not at his best when rudely awakened I’ll get back to you if problems arise querin said and then returned to his own concerns and responsibilities the explosion and fire would be front page news in that day’s

Paper and it would be well to write a sidebar on Winston he reflected that ironically the disaster solved the problem of what to do with the bookstore he wondered skeptically about the Bixby real estate agent who wanted to buy the premises he pondered in amazement Coco’s catfit preceding the explosion by a few

Minutes at 9:00 he reached the veterinarian miraculously she said he has no injuries not even singed fur are you sure he was in the building Winston never went out he doesn’t know what Out means and his vital signs are normal you can pick him up anytime querin cleared his throat while

Doing some quick thinking he said I’d like to board him with you for 24 hours doctor for observation and while we arrange for adoption you won’t have any trouble finding a home for him after the story gets out very true he replied ruul how well he knew as a journalist how people scramble

To adopt an animal with Celebrity Status the kitten trapped in a sewer pipe for three days or the stray dog that saved a family of five any family would want Winston but would he want them he called Maggie sprinkle for help have you heard a newscast this morning isn’t it

Dreadful and the poor man hardly in his grave you’ll be glad to know his cat escaped and is okay I’m boarding him at the hospital until we figure out what to do about adoption he’ll be on the front page today and he’ll get hundreds of offers I never thought of that she said

He can’t possibly have been blasted through the roof but if someone gets the idea that he was Airborne it’ll be on TV and then we can expect calls from all over the country we should find him a before he goes public yes I’ll make a few phone calls bear in mind Maggie that

He’ll be happiest in a quiet home with elderly people no other pets and a large library quillin’s next call went to Junior good winter at the something hey said the managing editor our night man said he saw you at the fire last night what were you doing there at 3:00 a.m.

Rescuing the cat and that’s why I’m calling everyone will want to adopt him there’ll be a rumor that he was blasted through the roof and that will add to his glamour but it’s not not true he escaped unharmed I don’t know how but he

Did what do you want me to do don’t go for the big story tell the truth the resident cat was rescued unharmed and has been adopted is that a fact the editor asked it will be by the time you go to press the phone rang and rang good friends and Casual acquaintances aware

Of quillin’s fondness for the bookstore called to commiserate the Siamese knew he was preoccupied and left him alone finally he stopped answering the intrusive signal and the message taker worked overtime the only call he returned was the one from Maggie sprinkle good news she said the beun on

Pleasant Street will be happy to have Winston they’ll pick him up at the hospital and pay his bill he’s a retired chemist they were regular customers of Edington and they go to my church I could ask no better recommendation Maggie thank you for exped W in it and

How can I thank you enough for the picture it occupies a place of honor in my living room my pleasure I assure you it had been a Sleepless and emotional ordeal for quillin Koko’s catfit the explosion the thought of thousands of books reduced to black ash his fear for Winston followed by the

Cat’s rescue and adoption a nap would have been in order but quillin had a tiger by the tail he could not let go he drove back to pickax for a painful look at book alley in daylight boarding was being erected around edington’s property including the small backyard the street had been

Cleaned of shattered glass since mail trucks used it for access to the back door of the post office the storefronts now had plywood where their Windows had been and the shopkeepers were moving out the something was not yet on the street but hourly newscasts on WP KX ended with

The usual words police are investigating it was quillin’s cue to go to see his friend the police chief and tell what he knew Andrew Brody was a big Scott who looked more comfortable in a kilt than a cop’s uniform he beckoned quillin into his office how come you

Didn’t play the bagpipe at edington’s funeral Andy nobody asked me to know anything about the fire this may be here say Andy but I was told that a guy from Bixby was trying to buy the whole block for redevelopment nobody would sell then Ed died and the bookstore the Kingpin of

The block blew up it doesn’t take much imagination to suspect arson Brody grunted and that’s not all edington’s cat escaped unharmed how and why did he get out he was an indoor cat did he sense danger when an unauthorized stranger unlocked the door and came in

Did he sneak out and hide in the weeds the key was under the doormat that’s where everyone puts the key isn’t it in Moose County at least no matter how much you try to educate them people will still leave their door keys under the doorm and the car keys in the ignition

So I say the arsonist is a local and not a pyromaniac from Down Below Good said Brody that Naro a suspects down to a few thousand kin started to leave the office don’t say I never gave you a tip loafing around Main Street the coffee shops and the post office quillin

Heard the man on the Street downtown won’t be the same without that building I remembered ever since I was a little tyke people came from all over and took pictures of it my old man said it used to be a blacksmith shop there was not one word about the thousands of books

That had been reduced to Ash quiller and managed to take a nap before dressing for dinner with the Morgans Barry manager of the Macintosh Inn was renting the apartment in the king andern Carriage House he had the careful grooming and cordial manner of his profession his brother Theo the

Dermatologist was a young man with a neatly clipped beard that brought to quillin’s mind Po’s Theory patients have more confidence in a doctor with a neatly clipped beard the doctor’s wife Misty was all smiles and curly brown hair hair and mischievous brown eyes like quiller and himself they were

Chicagoans with a city veneer that was recognizable in a small town quillin’s veneer was wearing thin the conversation started with the usual get acquainted formula yes we’ve bought a big old house on Pleasant Street no we haven’t any kids yet but we want a family and this looks like a good

Community for rearing them yes we have pets to Yorkies no we’ve never lived in a town smaller than Chicago I think it’ll be fun said Misty but we have a lot to learn Theo added for one thing querin said you can expect your patients to call you Dr Theo not Dr Morgan it

Combines neighborliness with respect everyone seems very friendly Misty commented true and everyone will want to know everything about you data will then be exchanged in the coffee shops on the church steps at the post office and over the phone it’s not gossip it’s caring and sharing got it got it the couple

Said in unison by the same token never speak unkindly about anyone because you may be talking to a brother-in-law second cousin neighbor or golf partner Barry said quill when I first came here you told me to keep my ears open and my mouth shut Priceless advice in the same

Class with look both ways before crossing the street the host served cocktails and quillin had to explain squonk water from a local Mineral Spring with a Believe It or Not history tell it Misty urged you’ll have to wait and buy the book it’s one of my collection of moose

County Legends to be titled short and tall tales then Theo asked about the mayoral election campaign he had seen some unusual posters and newspaper ads juicy question quillin said with Relish in a nutshell the incumbent was a high school principal who resigned following a scandal involving girl students resigned

Without censure because his mother was a good winter four good winter Brothers founded pickaxe and operated the most famous or inFAMOUS mine ancestors count heavily here I can see that so Mrs Goodwin’s little boy grew up to be mayor elected and reelected because altogether now his mother was a good winter the

Other three ch he earns his living as an investment counselor a handsome dog Barry said every time he comes into the Inn people fawn over him although they whisper about his Integrity when they’re in Safe Company this is great said Barry with a roguish grin now we come to the good

Part quillin went on for a long time we’ve had a spunky outspoken woman on the city council she could challenge the mayor with impunity because her father was a good win that gave her an edge by local standards Misty asked is she the Amanda good winter who has the design studio I’ve

Only met her assistant but they’re handling my artwork she’s the one her friends have finally convinced her to run for the mayor’s office it’s a joke he’s good-looking swaave and well-dressed Amanda looks grouchy and dresses like a scarecrow that’s the kind of individuality the locals enjoy do you

Have today’s paper Berry quillin showed them two campaign ads a photo of a handsome man with the slogan reelect mayor blly and a caricature of a witch with the slogan we’d rather have Amanda Misty clapped her hands and Theo said I hope it’s not too late to

Register to vote the doorbell rang Chef Wingo was sending over a paa a dish of chicken rice shrimp and the Spanish sausage called chiso during dinner conversation touched on many topics Barry said that the Country Club Club was giving a reception for the two doctors and their wives Theo’s partner

Was an avid golfer Theo said that he and Misty preferred curling as a sport I discovered it while in med school in Michigan we want to join the curling club Misty remarked about the spectacular murals in the pickax post office and quillin explained they were painted during the Great Depression as

Part of the federal Works project depicting moose County’s history mining lumbering qu in ship building and farming Barry was amazed at the huge number of volunteers signing up for the citizens firewatch an editorial in the something had said the blood of pioneers still flows in the veins of their

Descendants giving them a sense of community responsibility Misty said that the art center had invited her to give a demonstration lecture on batique painting I have one of your wall hangings quillin told her Fran Brody sent it over to to give the living room a splash of color are they Robins I did

Two hangings on that theme titled two Robins with worm and two Robins without worm which do you have W he said that’s my favorite it’s more Dynamic after one of Chef wingo’s simple desserts melon cubes with lime sorbet and mango sauce the party broke up in a flurry of handshakes and pleasant words

And quillin hurried home for a dish of ice cream with chocolate sauce and peanuts as he unlocked the front door he could hear the Urgent baritone yowling in the foyer Koko was telling him that there was a message on the answering machine it was from Roa tibit

Homer and I were shocked to hear about the bookstore Quail Edington had told us he was leaving it to you do you have time to drop in for tea tomorrow afternoon we have some information that Homer thinks you ought to know it was too late to return the call the tibits retired at

8:00 there was another message too Paulie’s voice said are you free tomorrow evening Maggie wants us to have dinner with her drct Zer will be there she apologizes for the short notice her housekeeper by the way is an excellent cook querin was available he had always

Wanted to meet Dr Zer and he was always interested in a free dinner hello my dear viewers I’m so glad you’re enjoying listening to this book I love making videos for you and sharing my passion with you if you love my videos too and

Want to support me you can buy me a cup of coffee it’s a small gesture that makes a big difference it helps me cover the costs related to making videos and motivates me to keep going you can buy me a coffee by clicking the link in the description thank you so much chapter

7 how did Winston Escape escape from the doomed building unanswered questions always irked quillin and he spent a restless night at 9:00 a.m. when Roger mcil would be reporting for work he phoned the photo lab at the something Roger compliments on your morning after photo in yesterday’s paper it was not only

Graphic but heartbreaking see thanks quill how’d you like Winston’s portrait ironically I got that shot the day before the explosion for the new adop a pet feature that’s one reason I’m calling when you went to the back door did Winston make any attempt to get out

Of the store if he had I would have run a mile you know how I am about cats No in fact he didn’t make an appearance for a while it turned out he was in his sandbox well your broadside shot of him was perfect from his bold whiskers to

His flamboyant tail yeah how was that to see they ran at three columns quillin said he’s already been adopted by a couple living on Pleasant Street who the Beth funes sure I know their son swell people thanks for calling I’ve got to run there’s a 9:30 on the

Board quillin’s next call went to the law office where he talked to Cynthia have you heard that Winston has a new home I’m so glad she said he’s a gorgeous cat if I had a place of my own I would have adopted him in a minute I

Take it that you two got along I only knew he was glad to see me at meal time she said who’s taking him Mr Q the bees on Pleasant Street really she’s my boyfriend’s Aunt very nice woman hope she doesn’t spoil him one question Cynthia when you went to feed him did he

Ever try to run out the back door never I always opened the door cautiously though just in case but he was a very cool cat quillin went downtown for breakfast at reny’s and evees dropped on conversations too bad it was our biggest tourist attraction it was fpar you know

It shatters like eggshells it’s a blessing the old man wasn’t here to see it they should do something about those kerosene heaters only at the library where he went next were they mourning the loss of the books clerks and volunteers were always glad to see him the quill pen

Columnist clinging chain Heir boss’s boyfriend she’s not here they said she had a dental appointment they lavished attention on him showed him Mr Smith’s last bookbinding project for the library demonstrated the new gadget for checking out books inquired about Coco and yum yum pointed out the new exhibit of antique

Inkwells asked who was his favorite author brought the feline mascots Mack and Katie to say hello he responded with amiable nods and quips and murmurs of approval he said his housemates had stopped shedding in preparation for the big one to two gray-haired volunteers who were fussing over old photographs

For an exhibit he said lightly need any help ladies yes they replied in unison and proceeded to talk at once the men in this photo there’s no identification except for the one in front he’s Governor Witherspoon it was taken in 1928 I’m afraid I wasn’t around then quillin said with Good Humor without

Blinking they went on people like to know who’s in these old photos it may be an ancestor their great grandpa may have been a friend to the governor they can bring the kids to the library to see a picture of their great great grandpa photographed with the governor I see

Quillin began to realize the seriousness of the matter I’ll bet Homer Tibet would recognize them one man was carrying a ledger two were in Sheriff’s uniforms another had a hunting dog Mr tippet used to come to the library every day doing research you know now that he’s moved to

It bitty wasia Estates we never see him do we Dora no I thought he’d passed away he’s almost 100 quillin said I’m going out that way this afternoon you want me to take the photo along that would be wonderful we’ll put it in an envelope Homer the nonagenarian

Historian and Roda 10 years his Junior had married late both had been Educators neither had been married before for visitors they always staged a comic Act of marital banter everyone knew they were a devoted couple the retirement village where they now lived was out in the country a four-story building with steeply pitched

Roof looking somewhat like a Swiss Resort Hotel when quillin arrived with gov Witherspoon’s photo and a bunch of flowers for Roa he parked in the visitor’s lot and was approaching the building when he saw mayor Gregory BL coming out good afternoon mayor he said have you been rallying your constituents

It doesn’t hurt to keep the home fires burning said the impecably groomed candidate blly during his three terms had promoted the annexation of surrounding townships for various reasons one of which was to add voting districts met his honor in the parking lot quillin said when Roa admitted him

To their apartment was he scrounging votes or selling stocks and bonds I tell you one thing he won’t get a nickel of my money Homer railed in his high-pitched voice he comes here to charm the widows out of their pensions and their husband’s life insurance don’t get excited Homer his wife said we’ll

All have a nice cup of chamomile tea she’s trying to poison me with that stuff he said that being the case quillin said don’t drink it until you answer a question for the pickaxe Library they miss your daily visits he explained the situation and showed the photo of gov Witherspoon and friends

That’s the go all right no mistaking those big ears I know all these others too can’t think of their names R is good at names I recognize faces Roa she came hurrying from the kitchen yes that’s go with a spoon my friends and I thought he was terribly romantic looking the two

Men on the second step I know very well they’re the Brown Brothers which Brown Brothers quillin interrupted there was only one Brown family she explained sweetly the one with the rifle and the is it’s on the tip of my tongue Fred Bryce or Brooke or broom or brown

Quillin suggested the funny thing is I know the name of his dog Diana goddess of the hunt makes sense Homer had lost interest and was dozing off in a loud voice quillin said but all this is ancient history let us talk about Edington Smith dear Edington

A gentle soul Rus said softly he wasn’t a reader but he knew and loved books her husband added in a voice less strien than usual in his Heyday he traveled all over the map certain estate Liquidators used to save cartons of the best books for him but he was getting old and tired

And so was his truck he’d come and have dinner with us and talk about his family she said woried his father a doorto door book salesman his mother died early and he was raised by his grandmother her husband was a blacksmith and he built the feldspar building for them to live

In the Smithy was in the backyard under a spreading chestnut tree quillin asked it happened to be a Mighty Oak Homer said it was cut down when Ed asphalted the yard as a parking lot he rented a few spaces for parking you mentioned on the phone that you had some information something his

Grandmother told him on her deathbed Rus said we thought it might be a story for your collection of moose County Legends I won’t know till I hear it do you remember the details between the two of us I think we can remember how it went

But you’ll have to write it in your own narrative style quill he turned on his tape recorder on the way back to town he began dry writing the story in his head first he dropped off the photo of gov Witherspoon at the Library sorry to be unsuccessful he

Apologized to the volunteers but here’s what I suggest feature it as a mystery photo invite the town folk to bring their family albums to the library and see if they can match up any of the faces I’ll mention it in my column his idea was received with

Delight Polly was back from the dentist but he had no time to go up to her office he wanted to go home and write secrets of the blacksmith’s wife As Told to Edington Smith by his grandmother when pickax was named the county seat because of its central

Location it was only a hamlet but a building boom started almost overnight the blacksmith who made Nails as well as horseshoes could hardly keep up with the demand as ambitious settlers built dwellings and shops then one day he was kicked in the head by a horse and died

On the spot there was panic in pickaxe no blacksmith no Nails the next day by a strange coincidence a stranger walked into town a big brwy man carrying a stick over his shoulder with a bundle tied on the end he wore his hair longer than was the

Custom in Moose County and at first he was viewed with suspicion when he said he was a blacksmith however the town folk changed their attitude could he make nails yes he could make nails what was his name John John what he said just John that’s all the name you need to make

Nails this was somewhat irregular but they needed nails so the local officials put their heads together and listed him on the town rols as John B Smith the middle initial standing for black when Longfellow wrote the Smith a mighty man is he he might have been

Writing about John B he was tall and Broad shouldered with large and seny hands and his muscles were strong as iron bands no one dared criticize his long hair furthermore he was 22 and good-looking and all the young women in town were after him it was not long

Before he married Emma who could read and write they had six children although only three reached adulthood not an unusual situation in those days he built them a house of quarry stone with a front of feldspar that sparkled like diamonds on a sunny day it was much

Admired by the other settlers who liked novelty the Smithy was in the backyard and there John worked industriously turning out tools Wagon Wheels cook Poots Horseshoes and Nails he was a good provider and went to Chapel with his family twice a week Emma was the Envy of

Most women in town once in a while he told her he had to visit his old mother in lockmaster and he would get on his horse and ride South staying a week or more the local gossips said he had another wife down there but Emma trusted

Him and he always brought her a pretty shawl or a nice piece of cloth to make into a dress then came a time when he failed to return there was no way of tracing his whereabouts but Emma was sure he had been killed by highway men who wanted to

Steal his horse and gold watch lockmaster with its fur trading and gold mining offered Rich pickings for robbers someone from the next town wanted to buy John’s Anvil and tools but Emma refused to sell yet as time went on and she thought about his past Behavior she remembered

How he used to go out into the yard in the middle of the night without a lantern she never asked questions and he never explained but she could hear the sound of digging that was not so unusual there were no banks and valuables were often buried then she recalled that it

Always happened after a visit to his old mother Emma was fired by curiosity and she went out to the Smithy with a shovel it was dark but she went without a lantern rather than arouse further gossip most of the yard was trampled hard as a rock there was one spot near

The big tree tree where she tried digging there were tree roots she found another spot then just as she was about to give up her shovel struck metal she dropped to her knees and began scraping the soil furiously with her bare hands gradually exposing an iron chest with

Her hands trembling and heart pounding she opened the lid the chest was filled with gold coins frightened by the sight she closed the lid and knelt there hugging her arms in thought deep thought there had been a dark rag on top of the gold once more

She opened the lid just a few inches and reached in stealthily as if afraid to touch the coins pulling out the rag she took it indoors to examine by Lamplight it was bright red it was the red bandana that a pirate tied around his head she

Went back to the yard covered the chest with soil stamping it down with her feet the next day she had the yard paved with cobblestones Emma had always wondered where her husband had acquired his gold watch and quillin wondered as he wrote The Last Sentence how freely had

Edington chatted with the strangers who spent hours on his ladders had he told them his grandmother’s Tale the Siamese seemed to be spending many of their waking hours on the coffee table mesmerized by the French martini pitcher while yum yum hung back wearily coko gave it a nearsighted nose twitching

Examination no doubt he thought he saw movement inside the thick glass its voluptuous shape the everchanging quality and direction of the light source and his own shifting position all produced an effect of activity inside the innocent jug Koko was hanging over it as if it were a crystal ball and quillin wondered

Whimsically if the cat could read the future he had to guard against taking the cat’s pre too seriously so he said heartily any excitement today did any River Rats come up for a drink of water I hope you didn’t invite them in coko and yum yum acted totally

Deaf as always on acquiring another legend for his collection querin was exhilarated until he thought how can I publish this it’ll bring a horde of opportunists with jackhammers membership in The Honorable Society of treasure Hunters had been growing since a few had struck it rich Old-Timers in Moose County would rather

Bury their money in a coffee can in the backyard than entrusted to a bank the sites of former ouses were said to be particular treasure troves the diggers went out after dark it was a wholesome hobby they said affording fresh air exercise excitement and sometimes rewards their enthusiasm was not shared

However by Property Owners whose Lawns pastures and Fields of soybeans had been excavated then quillin thought the Bixby realy agent if that’s what he was may have had something in mind other than a strip mall y came a loud clear comment from Koko either to corroborate quillin’s Theory

Or remind him that dinner was overdue quillin fed the Siamese and then dressed for Maggie’s dinner party chapter 8 quillin picked up Polly for the drive to Maggie sprinkles dinner party and as soon as they turned on to the highway he asked what’s new in your exciting young

Life I custom ordered a sweater from baroy for my sister for Christmas camel tan with sculptured texture in the knit did you know that barb is dating Barry Morgan they met through Barry sister-in-law who’s an artist they sound like a likely pair he said barbs said

She saw you going into the antique shop one day is that good or bad that all depends have you started collecting antiques or did you go to visit Susan darling there had been a personality clash between the two women ever since Susan’s brief term on the library board

Susan said the head librarian had unsophisticated taste Polly said the antique dealer had never read a book in her life it was the kind of f that gave quillin devilish Amusement he had to bite his tongue to resist telling Polly she had Susan’s porcelain parrots he

Said I went in to congratulate her on being accepted for the New York show but really to scr a cup of coffee I saw a sampler I liked and she gave it to me what kind of sampler Polly asked sharply you’ll see next time you come over I

Also have a wall hanging over the fireplace Place selected by Fran what kind of hanging wait and see he was being mischievously perverse then to change the subject what’s this dinner party all about wait and see Polly said smugly Maggie lived downtown in the sprinkle building on Main Street she and

Her late husband had lived on a large estate famous for its rose gardens but she had sold the house preferring to live in an apartment with rose patterned carpet the ground floor of the 19th century building was rented to insurance and realy firms the two upper floors had

Been transformed into a Victorian Palace quillin had been there once before to meet her five cats named after well-known women Sarah Charlotte Carrie flora and Louisa May as he and Polly drove up to the building he asked shall we risk Our Lives and take the front

Stairs they were Steep and narrow in the old style with shallow Treads made shallower by thick carpeting Rose patterned to confuse the eye let’s use the rear entrance and ride the elevator she said I’m not yet ready to break my neck the elevator glided slowly and silently to the second floor and deboed

The two passengers in a lavish foyer Polly whispered decorated by Amanda good winter and he muttered that figures the foyer was two stories high with a carved staircase leading to the Upper Floor and an enormous chandelier hanging in the stairwell it was a shower of Crystal and amethist pendants said to

Have Mystic powers of restoring one’s energy the hostess greeting them in a black velvet dress and the famous sprinkle torat of Diamonds and Pearls said I st under the chandelier every morning for a few minutes to recharge my batteries it was a fact that she had an abundance of Vitality and enthusiasm for

Her age at her urging quillin tried it and announced factiously that he could feel his hair standing on end and his mustache burgeoning Polly declined saying she had tried it before and was unable to sleep for three nights in the road patterned parlor introductions were made the fourth

Member of the party was Henry Zer Financial Officer of XYZ Enterprises until his recent retirement he had been a dentist and was still called Dr zoler in Moose County but not to his face now he was 60-ish distinguished looking well tanned and conservative in clothing Manner and speech please call me Henry

He said Maggie tells me I may call you poly and quill I admire you both for your professionalism and quill what you said about the IRS in your recent column on acronyms gave me a hearty chuckle have you had much response only to have my last tax return audited it was not

True but it was a quip quillin could not resist to your health Zer proposed when a pair of thiefs were served they sat on red velvet tufted Chairs set their drinks on the marble tops of carved taable and looked at Red walls hung with a fortune in oil paintings bought in Paris

By an ancestral sprinkle where are the ladies Polly asked inquiring about the five well-fed cats that usually sat on the five parlor window sills quillin had noticed there were no cat hairs on Maggie’s Black Velvet although she was a compulsive cat hugger they’ve retired to their budoir

Upstairs she said defly she steered the conversation away from the big one book alley The Citizen firew watch and even the shaft house initiative instead they talked about golf travel art collecting photography dog racing in Florida and the best restaurants in Chicago the housekeeper cooked and served lobster bisque filet of beef with

Sauced broccoli a tossed green salad and a white chocolate mousse after coffee qu and Polly waited 45 minutes before saying good night on the way home she said a half hour’s Grace is too short to be polite an hour is too long to be comfortable quiller agreed that the

Evening had seemed rather lengthy but the food was good what did she do to the broccoli a light cheese sauce with bacon bits broccoli needs all the help it can get Maggie and Henry have known each other a long time time when their spouses were living the two couples went

On cruises all over the world what will he do now that he’s retired go back to fixing teeth probably play golf and bet on the dogs Maggie seemed a little subdued tonight quillin said she hasn’t been spending enough time under the chandelier as they drove through the

Indian village Gates pie said would you like to come in for a while how’ you like to come and see the sampler I swindled from Susan quillin asked she agreed readily she had been consumed by curiosity as soon as he unlocked the door she went directly to the kitchen

And stared or glared at the framed piece of stained linen laboriously embroidered by a young girl a hundred years ago by the constrained expression on her face he could read her mind don’t you like it he teased I intended to leave it to you in my will struggling to be tactful she asked

May I ask what attracted you to this this it has sentimental significance my mother was an advocate of cerity jumping over candlesticks was part of my early training Polly was not fond of teasing she walked away where’s the wall hanging quillin switched on the living room lights spotlighting the oversized red

Breasted birds she gasped did you choose it I can’t take credit Fran picked it out and I happen to like her taste it’s perfect scale for the room much needed Touch of color Dynamic design do you like it I think it’s repulsive she said vehemently that worm it’s like a snake

It’s in proportion to the robins and the he began how can you ask your guests to sit here enjoying a drink while those obscenely fat Robins are torturing a helpless fellow creature she turned on her heel and headed for the door I’ll walk you home he offered that won’t be necessary what

Did Robert grav say murderous Robin with breast a glow she slammed the door quillin looked at Koko who had been auditing the conversation women he said Coco squeezed his eyes the next morning about 8:30 quillin was thinking about coffee and the cats were thinking about breakfast and Polly

He knew would be thinking about driving to work at that moment the doorbell rang through the sidelight he could see her on the doorstep he thought she’s here to make up after her tantrum last night in which case apologize for teasing her opening the door he said graciously good

Morning what an unexpected pleasure she looked alarmingly wide-eyed quill I’ve just had a strange phone call come in he said putting a hand to his unshaved jaw she stepped into the foyer I’m on my way to work but I simply had to tell you sit

Down who called you she took one of the two pull-up chairs in the foyer perching on the front edge of the seat Mrs Stein Maggie’s housekeeper she reported for work this morning and found the house empty no Maggie no cats her bed hadn’t been slept in her luggage was gone and a

Lot of her clothing was gone she was bewildered I’m bewildered too he said and then she went into the kitchen and found an envelope containing a month’s wages and instructions to empty the refrigerator take away the fresh flowers and tell Mrs Duncan she’d missed the board meeting what do you make out of

That quill he hesitated only a moment she’s Al loping with Henry I doubt it she values her independence and Henry doesn’t like cats what did she do with them traveling with five cats is somewhat of a problem she’d never send them back to the animal shelter but she might leave them with a

New Boarding Kennel in kbec quillin said last night Henry mentioned that he’d sold his house and was living at the Macintosh in until his new place is ready let me phone to see if he’s checked out it’ll take take only a minute he returned from the phone with

The information that Henry zuller had checked out last evening leaving no forwarding instructions it appears he drives a Land Rover that’s what was parked next to Maggie’s car last night if it were a missing person’s case the police could put a check on it but it’s really none

Of our business is it y wow wow was Koko’s contribution to the discussion Paulie said said he wants me to get out and go to work while preparing the cat’s breakfast quillin asked himself why did zoler choose to have dinner at Maggie’s last night instead of attending the reception

For the dermatologists at the Country Club where he was President why did he show no interest in the loss of the bookstore or the arrival of a rare book dealer selling $10,000 books according to pully he had given generous ly to the library in the past but only because Maggie twisted his arm

And why was there no discussion of the Mayoral race probably because Amanda was Maggie’s longtime friend and mayor blly was zolar’s golf buddy and why had they found it appropriate to sneak away like a pair of juvenile lovebirds Maggie might enjoy fooling her friends but there was no nonsense about Henry

Soler and did they drive to Florida in his land over or fly and if they went by plane did they fly from the Moose County or lockmaster airport quillin’s final question was why do I bother my head about these two characters I’m turning into a genuine pickaxe busy

Body still he was haunted by unanswered questions it was Friday and he met his noon deadline for the quill pen column grabbed a burger for lunch and stopped at Amando Studio to exchange his Robin Boutique FR was out making calls what’s the matter are you squeamish Amanda said in her usual brusk

Manner no but Polly is and I aim to keep everyone happy quillin replied is it cheaper without the worm we deduct 50 cents from your bill I met a friend of yours last night who the famous Dr Zer he’s no friend of mine we had dinner in Maggie’s apartment and I must compliment

You on cramming so much stuff into the Parlor without suffocating the guests Amanda growled I give the customers what they want did you ever stand under the chandelier and get a treatment did Maggie feed you that hogwash what else did she feed you a delicious bis F de

And moose Chad blon no wonder it’s good steens has been making that for dinner parties for the last 10 years the Morgans lived on Pleasant Street a historic neighborhood in pickaxe large frame houses in Carpenter Gothic style were lavished with Gingerbread trim around porches doors windows and Gables giving the street a

Festive appearance and enhancing property values when Krillin rang the old-fashioned jangling doorbell at 1:00 the door opened promptly and he was confronted by two frisky little dogs and a bright yellow sunflower four times life-size it was on the person of the bright-eyed Misty nice shirt he said

Batik she said come in and welcome to the dogghouse go back she ordered them and they trotted away good dogs quillin said what are their names haral and Ma Yorkshire Terriers they were tiny things shrouded in long straight hair down to the floor ribbons tied the hair back out

Of their large bright eyes yes they were developed 200 years ago by Yorkshire min ERS who wanted a dog small enough to fit in a pocket for killing rats now they’re just wonderful Companions and full of pep querin said I was here when MC merchie had the place he retired from

Plumbing and Heating and moved to an apartment yes I know the house has fabulous Plumbing I believe that’s why we bought it where’s your studio let’s see where you work he had never seen a bati studio before he was familiar with the Weaver’s Loom The Potter’s Wheel the metal

Smith’s Anvil and the painters easel but this what are those large flat pans he asked turning on his tape recorder those are Vats for the Dy baths she said the batique technique is a process of repeated tub dying using melted wax you paint out the areas you don’t want to be

Dyed and you repeat the process over and over until you have all the colors you want where you want them complicated he said fascinating it takes an understanding standing of color mixing and over dying she showed him several squares of fabric like pillow tops illustrating the development of the design from that to

Vat I’ll use these in my demo at the Art Center quillin said where has this art been all my life it’s been around for centuries originally in the South Pacific Asia and parts of Africa my wall hanging has an all over crackled def that makes it look antique that happens

When the wax cracks in the D bath I do it intentionally are you enjoying your boutique I must make a confession in response to public demand I exchanged the one with Worm for the one without worm she Shrugged that’s all right that’s why I made too will you have

Coffee they sat in large worker chairs built close to the floor he wondered how he would get out when the time came you weren’t at the reception last night Misty said I wasn’t invited how was it well you know those Affairs she flooded her hand but they did one nice thing

They invited me to hang some of my boutiques in the foyer of the club and as a result I got a nice commission I’m not supposed to talk about it but it’s so exciting and I know you won’t blab they want large hangings of the 10 shaft houses Sensational quillin said do you

Think you’ll join the club ‘s partner will but we’re more interested in the curling club and the theater club we met the LPS wonderful people and a big man in a Scottish kilt who’s going to handle the accounting for the clinic and the mayor very handsome but he’s had

Cosmetic surgery and one poor man must have had a terrible accident I can tell his whole face has been reconstructed I can’t help it I have an artist’s eye that sees more than it should see Theo says it’s scary funny thing though all the men at the reception said they liked

My artwork and all the women said they liked my husband when it was time to leave Harold and Ma appeared to escort quiller into the door and Misty said who sings The Puppy Song on W pkx Derek cuddle Brink it’s not his normal voice he’s played many roles for

The theater Club does he write his own songs uh it would appear so though would he write a song about Harold and Ma and record it I’d like to give it to Theo for his birthday well no harm in asking but I happen to know he’s very busy attending

Classes at MCCC and working evenings as Matra D in the Macintosh room I’ll work on it Misty said what did you say his name is Derek cutle Brink having collected inspiration for his next column quillin turned his attention to unanswered questions the first led him to Lane’s department store where he

Hoped to see Carol or Larry he found Carol setting up a scarf display in the accessory Department goodlooking scarfs he said I’d like to buy one for pully what would you like well she has that new brown suit and I have a silk scarf that would give it snap an oversized

Hounds tooth check in Brown White sold you’re my favorite customer quill gift wrapped please how was the reception last night I’ve just interviewed Misty Morgan and she was quite enthusiastic the Morgans are a lovely couple we hope to get them into the theater Club quillin said casually I

Thought the officers of the club usually attended those Affairs and yet last night I met Henry Zer having fun at a private dinner party Carol lowered her voice he resigned the presidency when he left XYZ I’m afraid there’s some bad feeling quillin left the store with his purchase and the answer to one

Question his next objective a piece of apple pie at Lois’s lunchette a good source of local information and comfort food the lunch crowd had left and Lenny inch poot was clearing tables he helped his mother afternoons attended morning classes at MCC see and worked the registration desk at the Macintosh Inn

In the evening too late for the lunch in special Lois inchot yelled through the kitchen pass through I’ll settle for apple pie and coffee quillin shouted in her Direction Lenny asked will it bug you Mr Q if I sweep up not if you split with me any money you find by the way

Congratulations on winning the last race before snowf flies thanks I did it for Mom but don’t tell her would she let you sit down and have a cup of coffee with me or is she cracking the whip today who’s talking about me behind my back came the gruff challenge through the

Pass through quillin chuckled Lenny grinned and sat down and the conversation began last night I met Dr Zer for the first time nice guy he’s been staying at the in big Tipper I tried to reach him this morning but he checked out yeah funny time to be checking out 11:30 p.m.

Unless he was catching a plane no flights at that hour could have been driving somewhere I believe he drives a Land Rover that’s what it says on the register not many of those around here did he look happy he might have been eloping nah he never showed his emotions

Lenny stop grabbing and peel some potatoes came the order from the kitchen he jumped to his feet got to go all should be out here with the rolling pin quillin’s Quest For answers next took him to an establishment new to Moose County a nationally franchised luxury class boarding kennel the pet Plaza

Occupied the former premises of Chet’s barbecue closed after its owner found himself in bad trouble quillin assumed that lingering Aromas of roasting meat might add to its success as a boarding kennel for whatever reason it was said to be a howling success in spite of the high daily rates that was understandable

Moose County had plenty of affluent families descended from mining tycoons Lumber Barons and early 20th century Bootleggers they traveled frequently and had Thoroughbred pets who deserved the best the plain two-story building of concrete block had been given a tongue-in cheek facelift classic columns a pediment and low relief sculptures of

Mythical god gods and goddesses had been painted on the flat surface it looked quite Grand until one noticed that the robed figures had the heads of cats and dogs when quillin walked into the lobby he was met by a young woman in a Natty gray pants suit with silver buttons Lori

Bamba he said in Surprise aren’t you supposed to be running a bed and breakfast it was too iffy how’s the family the boys are growing fast they want their own computers Nick is doing maintenance engineering but he’d rather be an inkeeper I’m concierge here my job

Is to keep the guests happy the dogs sound happy said quillin cocking an ear to hear a distant Symphony of barks woofs Yelps and yodel what facilities do you offer the Oak Room For Dogs the oyster bar for cats and the Palm Court for exercise piano entertainment in the oak

Room he asked where would you like to start in Moose count County he was accustomed to seeing Collies German Shepherds hounds and pitbulls Lori pointed out an Alaskan Malamute a pair of Jack russels alassa abso from Tibet an exuberant Welsh Corgi and an amable bouier from Belgium they

Were housed in top-of-the-line cages of various sizes and those on the outside wall had Direct access to the dog run in the Oyster Bar the cats had split cages with picture windows overlooking a grassy plot they seemed contented except for a Siamese who was being shampooed and blowdried before going home a

Persian was sleeping in his litter pan quillin spotted an Abyssinian a Rex and an oriental before seeing the five Gentile hybrids whose name plates read Sarah Charlotte Carrie flora and Louisa May Maggie’s ladies are these all from one family he asked innocently yes they came in yesterday and will be staying for a

Month Lori went on talking and the recorder went on recording some cats are on special diets some are here for a get acquainted visit before being left for two weeks or more some bring their own security blankets from home our staff is hardworking observant and loving there’s

A waiting list for employment here how do I get on the list quillin asked but his mind was on Maggie who had lied when she said her ladies had retired early to their budoir upstairs he had noticed that there were no cat hairs on her black velvet dress chapter

Nine hanging anything on a wall was not one of quillin’s talents but suddenly the chimney breast looked obscenely nude without its three 3x 4ot Boutique he unrolled the new one without worm and brought a step ladder from the basement the mantle was high the hanging seemed enormous the ladder was wobbly and the

Two assistants were incompetence who wanted only to inspect the ladder get away he said your job is to stand back and tell me if it’s level as soon as he reached the fourth step the phone rang Yow said coko let it ring yow they can leave a message y wow wow kerin thought

It could be important it could be urgent he lobbed the boutique at the hook in the wall as if shooting a basket from midcourt and jumped off the ladder his helpers scattered it was only Susan xbridge darling I have something for you and I’ll drop it off on my way home from

Work if you’ll be there about 5:30 it’s the natal chart for your friend Ronald I was hoping it would be a half gallon of chocolate ice cream will you come in for a drink he climbed up and straightened the hanging returned the ladder to the basement tidied the coffee table and

Checked his martini ingredients plenty of gin three kinds of Olives no driver moo nevertheless he was famous for his 14 to1 mix and Susan wouldn’t notice if he served it 14 to zero Susan arrived waving a sealed document envelope here it is I paid Jeffer for it

So you can write a check payable to me and your anonymity will be secure she flung herself onto the sofa with a sigh I had a hard day at the cash register mind if I take off my shoes this rug is positively degenerate is that one of the B boutiques everyone’s

Talking about the robin should be pulling a worm out of the lawn I had one like that quiller and said but public outrage forced me to exchange it for the worm version it isn’t quite level we had a minor earthquake today nothing serious he served his guest a martini

And himself some white grape juice in a martini glass she took a sip superb you’re wasting your time as a journalist Quail used to be a bartender I’ve considered switching bartending pays better oh you have one of those Martini pictures is from a French liner where’d

You get it it was a gift Maggie has one just like it it came from a large ship they had too she ignored his arch remark let me know if you ever want to sell it quillin asked did you see your ex-husband’s letter to the editor in Praise of shaft

Houses I did and was that ever a joke he’s always hated those shaft houses either he’s cracking up or falling falling in love again his second wife has filed for divorce you know and now he’ll have to write two big alimony checks will he attend Amanda’s rally

Sunday not likely he and the mayor will be having their last golf game before snow flies the astrologer will be there though and you must meet her she has a phenomenal mind for mathematics and a degree in accounting astrology is her hobby Susan drained her glass will you

Excuse me I have to dress for dinner he said I’ll let you know Susan what I think about my horoscope please darling we call it a natal chart I stand corrected on the way out she noticed the glove box in the foyer where did you find that it’s old but not antique

Probably 1920s it was a gift and it’s not for sale quillin sprawled in a deep cushioned chair and propped his feet on an ottoman as he proceeded to read about himself the chart consisted of two dozen pages in a plastic binder with a frontus piece of a 12 spoked wheel filled with

Arcane symbols and mathematical notations first it told him he was a Gemini you are constantly investigating asking questions communicating wanting to know why you have a talent for writing and speaking kerin thought Mildred would fall for this stuff but how do they do it then came a description of his past

Leaving him somewhat flabbergasted you have been deprived of one parent but doubly fortunate in the one remaining your early career involved much traveling an early marriage has been short lived material possessions come late in life a previous acquaintance comes back into your life bringing great benefits incredible he said aloud that’s Fanny klingen

Shain physically your weakness is in your knees that had been true until he moved to Moose County and started walking and biking Family Life passes You by but animals are a great comfort this is too much he protested other persons perceive you as wise generous helpful and trustworthy

Y came a Clarion comment from another part of the condo it was all convincing and comforting to his ego but it overlooked one of his traits skepticism it stopped him from accepting his natal chart without a quibble before he could Marshal his objections however Derek cuddle Brink called hi Mr Q are you

Going to Amanda’s rally I wouldn’t miss it they want me to take my guitar not to play the puppy song I hope they thought I could write a campaign song Derek said hesitantly could you help me out it was quillin’s turn to hesitate does anyone suspect I was responsible

For the puppy song not even Elizabeth if it ever gets out that I’m your underground Lyricist I’ll have your guitar confiscated and your driver’s license revoked then he thought her campaign slogan will fit she’ll be coming around the mountain Derek said you wouldn’t have to pull any punches she’s tough everybody

Knows she’s been to rehab if she hadn’t dried out she wouldn’t be challenging his honor tell you what Derek get me a reservation tomorrow night for two and when you SE us I’ll slip you a folded piece of paper gee thanks thanks Mr Q I know it’s short notice that’s the best

Kind Polly was having a dinner meeting with her board of directors so quillin thawed something for his dinner and was at work on Amanda’s battle him when coko staged his someone’s coming tizzy he was as good as an electronic sensor quillin went outdoors in time to

Find weather be good driving home in his van he called out how’s everything on the firat Joe not many alerts I’m on Standby I go out if there’s a cancellation say I have a question to ask you probably hear a lot of jokes I heard a good one the other

Day about a pastor who thought his bicycle had been stolen but you’ve forgotten the punchline quillin guessed I remember the punchline I forgotten the joke I thought you might know it try me then I remembered where I’d left my bicycle seeing the blank look of on his

Friend’s face wetherby said if you hear it call me at any hour the day or night hey your phone’s ringing where were you asleep Arch rker asked when quillin came to the phone who’s calling big brother if you’re not busy I’d like to walk over there and discuss something quillin said I’ll have

To ask the boss he’s right here sitting on the desk Coco your uncle Arch wants to come over for a while Yow said coko reacting to a friendly poke in the ribs he says it’s okay but he wants the lights out at 11: reker arrived with the manila

Envelope which he threw on the coffee table where’d you get the glass pcture he asked are those real apples do you know that thing over the mantle is crooked that thing is a boutique and it’s more Dynamic when hung crooked rer looked at the Deep pile rug

Is it safe to step on it I don’t want to turn my ankle he stepped carefully across it and sank into the deep cushioned contemporary sofa I’d hate to have to get out of this man trap if there’s fire quillin served him a glass of cider

A kachu of rum wouldn’t hurt it pal okay what’s on your mind Arch you saw Don xd’s poana letter in Monday’s paper what was your reaction a he can’t be sincere and B what’s his motive well since then there’s been a backlash we’ve had had a dozen letters in opposition they’ll run

Monday and create controversy I wanted you to have a preview and give an opinion he drew proofs from the manila envelope and handed them over the originals were written on fancy stationary lined sheets from school notebooks copy paper and one greeting card left over from Easter Quin scanned them frequently

Touching his mustache the letters were signed with names he did not recognize and came from the larger towns in the county why the big fuss about shaft houses they’re just ugly old shacks and the fences with barbed wire on top look like concentration camps waiting for

Another War my advice is fill in the mine shafts chop up the shaft houses for firewood and give us some family parks with playground equipment picnic tables and a few shade trees and don’t forget restrooms all that hoopla about shaft houses and pickaxes in bad need of cemetery space we honor the early

Settlers who died 100 years ago and don’t provide burial space for today’s loved ones moose county has never had a zoo let’s close up one of the mines and have a petting zoo where kids can see baby goats and Lambs calves and Colts and little piglets it would be fun for the

Whole family and the kids would learn something all that space wasted on forests and mind sites and some of us don’t have a place to live give us mobile home home parks where the old mines are now would make wonderful vegetable gardens for poor families who don’t have enough

Space to plant a turnip or turn the land over to the schools and let the kids raise vegetables sell them and use the money for band instruments and athletic equipment who wants to drive around looking at dumb shaft houses sports and recreation that’s the ticket every Community should have a softball diamond

And a soccer field put the Mind sites to work querin huffed into his mustache they were all composed by the same person and copied by different individuals there are little clues in the sentence structure and vocabulary you’re probably right Arch said there were no return addresses on the

Envelopes not one of them we checked signatures in the phone book and none was listed not one minder quillin chuckled remember Arch when we were teens and crazy about baseball a Chicago Cubs catcher told a sports writer he never received fan mail pitchers and Sluggers got it all so I

Wrote him eight letters supposedly from a truck driver an old man a young girl and so forth you composed them and we copied them in different handwriting my grandfather copied the old man’s letter and the catcher told the sports writer he’d suddenly received a bushel of mail

But I think it was only our eight we felt we’d done a good deed Arch said we’ll consult our lawyer about these meanwhile remember the geologist who phoned to tell us about Subterranean fires we checked his credentials before quoting him but he was a fraud the real

Geologist wrote us a letter which we’ve turned over to our attorney there’s always something especially at the something quillin said sympathetically there was something more that night sometime after midnight as quillin was trying to read himself to sleep the Stillness was broken by a tortured whale ending in a shriek he ran

Into the cat’s room and found coko sitting on the TV and howling at the ceiling it meant bad news and it meant bad news close to home quillin called the night desk at the something any trouble on the police beat we don’t know the details but there’s been a shooting we don’t know

Who where or if it’s fatal coko knew it was fatal the night editor added I believe it was a volunteer with a shudder quillin thought of Weatherby always taking a patrol of another driver had to cancel they had talked a few hours before then he heard

The toilet flush next door and for the first time he gave thanks instead of cursing the thin walls chapter 10 quillin slept poorly as the list of volunteers reeled through his mind Civic leaders like Ernie kmle and Larry LPE were on standby night or day among the regulars were Dwight sers the MCB

Brothers Gordy Shaw Bob The Barber Albert the dry cleaner Lenny inchot many staffers at the something city council members and more there were women who drove patrols but they were excluded from Nighttime shifts even Grandma toodle the manager of the supermarket was a ride along with her grandson Rising early and feeding the

Siamese mechanically he listened for a radio bulletin the first news from W pkx was a citizen on firewatch patrol was killed early this morning by a gunman attempting to burn the Big B shaft house the victim’s name has not been released the station had the good taste

To follow the announcement with lock l and not the pickaxe puppy song which had become their virtual signature querin could imagine the telephone lines sizzling as relatives and Friends phoned each other frantically to ask who was on patrol last night as he brooded over cup after cup of coffee the Siamese sensed the

Troubled atmosphere and sat quietly nearby instead of seeking out patches of sunlight for their own enjoyment suddenly coko ran to the the radio and a few moments later the wkx announcer broke into the music with this news Ralph Abby of chipmunk a volunteer firewatcher was killed early this

Morning at the big b m site while reporting to the Sheriff’s hotline on his cellular phone he was reporting trespassing and vandalism when the operator heard a shot the rescue squad was alerted and firefighters were already on the way Flames creeping toward the shaft house were extinguished

But the victim was pronounced dead at the scene quillin’s phone began to ring and he listened to comments for the next half hour weather be good said hey quill do you realize that might have happened to you and me the irony of it is that Abby had racked up more volunteer hours

Than anyone else patrolling every day sometimes twice in 24 hours P said I knew him when he was a high school student bringing his homework assignments to the library he was more of an athletic type than a scholarly one but he was conscientious then Fran Brody called in

A highly emotional state quill that fellow who was killed he was rough my installer the one who hung your boutique such a nice young man such a good worker we encouraged him to take classes at MCCC so young only 22 and what will happen now he was supporting his mother

And three younger sisters his father died of diabetes and to think that it happened because he was doing a community service the county should set up a trust to take care of the family do you think the K fund would help definitely talk to g Allen barter after that quillin went downtown

To observe and listen crowds had turned out of their homes friends were commiserating with friends and strangers were talking to strangers there was a wreath on the door at Amanda studio and a sign stated closed until Tuesday in morning for our valued colleague Abby at the post office patrons bought

Stamps but lingered to talk and it was surprising what they found to say to each other he didn’t like to be called Ralph his family goes to our church we’re going to have a hyn sing to raise money for them he was a football hero in

High school he never said much but he had opinions he bagged an eight-point buck last year in hunting season got his picture in the paper his mother does sewing for people in her home but she doesn’t make much he hung my draperies and did an expert job the county should

Give him an official funeral I used to date him he was a real sweet guy in the background were the murals showing the ancestors of these people working in the mines tilling Fields with hand plows driving Ox carts spinning yarn from sheep’s wool one elderly gentleman said you’re Mr Q aren’t you

When I don’t like the way things are going I come in here and see how my ancestors lived quillin went to the police station to see Brody but the chief was attending a summit meeting at the courthouse Roger mcgil was there waiting for a news break it’s getting the whole front page Monday

Any chance the fire watch will be discontinued no way the sheriff took a telephone poll of volunteers this morning and the vote was unanimous to continue it won’t be long before snow flies and the problem will be over quillin asked feel like lunch I’m buying we could go to

Renny’s the Macintosh Inn’s colorful coffee shop was still new enough to be a special attraction they ordered Reuben sandwiches and Roger said Ral was in my history classes and I was teaching all right guy do you know exactly what happened last night well he was on patrol midnight to 3 and saw something

Irregular at the Big B mine a car parked in a side lane and a brush fire creeping toward the shaft house instead of reporting it from the highway he drove into the lane behind the car apparently to get the license number that’s where he was found behind the wheel but he’d

Already reported the fire and the number on the tag the hotline operator heard the shot on the phone and heard it drop two shots were heard fire and police vehicles were already on the way the suspect Got Away by driving around the back of the minight both then gulped their sandwiches in

Silence then quillin said the suspect must have been a local if he knew about the Perimeter Road his car had an out ofate plate the state and local police are having a summit meeting at the courthouse which reminds me I’ve got to get back on my beat thanks for lunch

Quill quillin sat for a while thinking about the shooting and lingering over a slice of coconut cream pie too sweet for his taste then Susan xbridge walked past his table and asked him conspiratorially what do you think about it he rose politely too sweet they have

A new pastry chef please sit down she murmured I was referring to Ronald’s natal chart he continued to stand Ronald sends his compliments to Mrs Young please sit down quill she said firmly I don’t want to sit down he replied testily I want to

Pay for my lunch and get out of here and go home to my cats oh she said in Surprise are you coming in or going out I’ve come to have lunch with two of my customers she spoke with unusual meekness then enjoy your lunch and don’t

Order the pie he signed the tab at the cash register and the cashier said I heard that Mr Q it was really funny it’s an old com routine he explained I couldn’t resist I like to tease Mrs xbridge once in a while I’ll buy lunch for her party put it on my

Tab what a pleasant surprise Polly said when she discovered they were dining at the Macintosh room I hear it’s impossible to get a reservation on Saturday night it helps if your middle name is Macintosh did you hear anything about the commotion last night around midnight what kind of commotion in Kurt’s condo I

Thought weatherbe might have heard it and mentioned it Weatherby was probably off on one of his mysterious weekends in horseradish what was the commotion Kurt was having a terrible row with another man I looked out the bedroom window but there was no car in the visitor’s slot had you talked to him lately

Quillin asked no I was beginning to feel uncomfortable with him he mistook my small town neighborliness for something else else have you talked to him not since Coco scared him out of his wits with a pot of geraniums when they arrived at the Macintosh room the matred showed them to

The best table in the house and querin slipped them a little something may we bring you Scotch eggs with our compliments Derek asked the traditional appetizer was a whole hard cooked egg encased in well flavored sausage meat served in lengthwise quarters with mustard and a garnish I could live on these quillin

Told Polly are you going to eat all of yours of course is my name Duncan what did you do today be careful he told himself don’t mention Susan and the natal chart don’t mention Amanda’s campaign song even Ronald frit was a secret nothing much he said just mosed around downtown

Mosy that’s the first time I’ve heard you use that word I must admit it sounds like what it means they could talk for hours about words there was a game they played at dinner the word delicious was out of bounds on this occasion the eggs were robust the grilled salmon was succulent

The salad had Verve Pie’s blackberry cobbler had zest and quillin’s seven layer chocolate cake had a certain nobility have you had any more crazy dreams she asked yes I dreamed that Coco and yum yum gave a party for Brutus and Kata and they invited to loose and jet stream

Because a successful party always has more male guests than female guests between her laughter she said I don’t know anyone who dreams as fancifully and creatively as you do the truth was that he invented dreams to amuse her there were so many things they could not discuss despite their

Intimacy his hunches that began as Twitches in his mustache Koko’s remarkable intuition The Unofficial investigations that interested both cat and man ply didn’t understand and wouldn’t believe Arch reker his lifelong friend was the same way saying it’s none of your business don’t waste your time whether quillin admitted it or not there

Was a kind of loneliness in his life about the cats he would say they’re all the family I’ve got there was his Alias Ronald frit of course but if I ever start conversing with him quillin told himself I’m sick on Sunday afternoon the residents of Indian village swarmed out of their

Condos on River Road and apartments on Woodland Trail and converged on the clubhouse for the rally carloads of Amanda’s supporters also arrived from pickaxe the event was held in the Great Hall which had the feeling of a ski lodge with its imposing stone fireplace high ceiling crisscrossed with log

Rafters and bright red carpet for the occasion a large Banner with the candidate slogan spanned the fireplace wall it was A well-dressed crowd there were no jeans t-shirts or running shoes quiller and Polly had walked over with the Rikers just inside the door hickie rice and Dwight Somers were

Selling large lapel buttons yellow with Amanda’s frizzy-haired caricature and her campaign slogan she needed no financial support and stipulated that proceeds should go to the rough Abbey trust everyone was wearing a button and a large glass apothecary jar was filling with personal checks and currency of large denomination Amanda herself was not

There she would make an entrance at a dramatic moment meanwhile wether be good was at the piano playing show tunes ballads and a little Strauss the crowd was circulating drinking wine Punch or fruit punch and wondering why Maggie sprinkle was not there she and Amanda were longtime

Friends Elizabeth har an ays from down below who had discovered moose County and Derek cutle Brink at the same same time said to quillin I’m so glad my RAR rug went to you I inherited it from my father he had such good taste someone was bidding against you but you topped

Him at the last minute I’m glad to know it’s Providence he said if we find any diamond rings in the Deep pile we’ll know where to return them Ernie kle major Domo of the citizen firewatch was there with some of his Pleasant Street neighbors Theo Misty Morgan and Burgess Campbell with

Alexander his guide dog wanel mcino was there with an attractive middle-aged woman who wore her dark hair drawn back into a shenan Polly whispered I wonder who she is her hair is a little too dark for her age Max’s wife is very ill you know she requires round the-clock

Care most of the women were wearing maroon or grape or burgundy proclaimed the colors of choice for that particular season precisely why I bought a brown suit Polly said I love my hounds tooth scarf quill you have such good taste gradually they moved over to the

Vicinity of big Mack and his new friend introductions were made mcel said Mrs Young is from Baltimore she’s joining our firm after the first of the year she’s a certified accountant quillin said from Baltimore to pickax is a giant step for forward I hope I think so she

Said my son lives here and speaks highly of it you probably know him Cass young so this was Jeffer young astrologer little did she know he was The Talented generous trustworthy Gemini whose life she had just charted the music stopped abruptly to grab everyone’s attention before weatherbe swung into the the old Al

Jolon hit Mandy the big doors opened and Amanda entered followed by her bodyguard Susan xbd amid Applause the candidate marched to the fireplace and faced the crowd she was wearing a tan gabardine shirt dress with four pockets all one could say for it was that it was neat

And clean her hair still looked uncombed and her face wore a scowl of grim determination she waited until the music and Applause ended and then said I have no intention of making a long speech she paused for laughter mayor BL was noted for his boring oratory if elected I will

Pursue issues to a conclusion instead of tabling them for 3 years more laughter the reference was obvious and I guarantee the city hall roof will not leak this brought whoops of Mirth from listeners who knew how to put two and two together immediately Derek cutle Brink appeared by by her side with his

Guitar and played her campaign song to the tune of she’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes we’d rather have Amanda run our city she isn’t very sweet or very pretty but she always sticks to Biz and tells it like it is and she’s not afraid to face the

Nitty-gritty he strummed a few cords and flashed the smile that always made his groupies howl the audience shouted for more she’d rather wear a helmet and a crown she never reads the law books upside down she’s got a lot of clout and hey she finally dried out we’d rather have Amanda run our

Town the audience exploded with cheers and laughter and even Amanda managed a faint smile quillin said if elected she should appoint Derek as Court Jester do you think he wrote that himself Mildred asked dubiously it sounds more like hick he rice Polly said what do you think will it could have

Been Burgess Campbell he has a sense of humor or Alexander said Arch a crowd was gathering around the apothecary jar anyone who dropped a dollar bill into the jar would receive a photocopy of the lyrics Dwight sers had a portable copier and was cranking them out as fast as he

Could some enthusiasts wanted five or 10 copies and the rough Abby fund grew accordingly as quillin and Polly walked home she said how Maggie would have loved this turnout for Amanda why do you suppose she left so suddenly and why did Maggie have us to dinner without

Mentioning a word about their plans it’s all very strange to me quillin said her cats were already lodged at the pet Plaza so she fibbed when she said they were upstairs sleeping how do you know they’re there she asked sharply I’m writing a column on the facility and there they

Were hello my dear viewers I’m so glad you’re enjoying listening to this book I love making videos for you and sharing my passion with you if you love my videos too and want to support me you can buy me a cup of coffee it’s a small gesture that

Makes a big difference it helps me cover the the cost related to making videos and motivates me to keep going you can buy me a coffee by clicking the link in the description thank you so much chapter 11 the day after the rally when rain would have been appreciated by the

Parched County another Morning Sun flooded quillin’s living room through the large glass areas overlooking the riverbank where was the big one water was being rationed Farmers worried about their flocks and herds whether be good talked about going into hiding if the big one continued to stall over Canada when quillin opened his bedroom

Door and stepped out onto the balcony he looked down at a dazzling light on the coffee table enough to alarm him for a moment until he realized it was the French picture reflecting and multiplying the sun’s Rays it was a remarkable example of optic lead crystal chunky and heavy he estimated it weighed

5 lbs empty nine deep vertical cuts faceted the spherical base which was topped with a narrow neck a perfect pouring spout and a gracefully well-balanced handle even without sunlight the Crystal had a life of its own playing optic tricks with interior shapes and shadows coko recognized it as something special

And tried to get his Sleek head into the pitcher’s neck no quillin shouted and the cat withdrew quickly you guys missed a good party yesterday he told the cats as he was preparing their food there was a nice dog there quiet intelligent well-mannered your kind of dog his name was

Alexander as if some kind of mental telepathy were at work the phone rang at that moment and Burgess cample was on the line I was just talking about Alexander quiller and said said how did he like the rally yesterday he takes everything in his stride Burgess said we could all take

Lessons from Alexander why I’m calling quill Ernie was telling us about your book short and tall tales and I wondered if you had room for one more yes if it has a legendary quality and a moose County Connection I think it qualifies my father used to to tell

About this Feed and Seed supplier in Burr Township in the 1920s he called it Phineus Fords fabulous collection are there any Fords still around I haven’t run into that name dad’s said the last ones went down below during World War II to work in the defense industry if you’re interested I

Could dictate it to my computer and mail your print out then you can edit it as you see fit sounds good to me quillin said rough Abby was given a hero’s funeral on Monday not Tuesday because of the threat of the big one the service was held in the High School auditorium

Because so many mourners wanted to attend burial was in sawdust City because the Mudville curlers insisted after the service quillin was cashing a check in the bank when he bumped into someone and said sorry the other man said sorry and then looked up quill Ernie if I’d known it was you I’d

Have bumped harder story of my life he lowered his booming voice to a mutter got a couple of minutes if we could sit down somewhere and spread this thing out there was a roll of drafting paper under his arm quillin used his influence and they went into a small conference room

Ernie kle former insurance agent and and enthusiastic volunteer was not in his usual jovial mood in the last year he had surmounted family problems and carried on with bravado throwing himself into community service but now he looked discouraged as he unrolled a large drawing of a floor plan did you hear

About my idea for an antique Village sketchily fill me in it sounds interesting the idea was flying high and then the wings fell off I suppose suppose you know that Otto’s tasty eats went out of business good riddance yeah well his building was for sale by owner

And I thought it would be perfect for an Antiques Cooperative where dealers rent spaces and take turns minding the store quillin asked would this area have enough dealers to make it work oh sure collectors all over the county are selling from their Barns and basements and they’d welcome the opportunity to go

Pro you know without a big investment also dealers surrounding counties could have a branch and pickaxe and cash in on the tourist trade I’d have exhibit booths around the walls of the main floor and balcony and have a courtyard in the middle for serving lunches and snacks the Kay fund was standing by

Ready to give me a lowest business loan and then I made Otto an offer for the building and crash he said he was planning a business venture of his own quillin said sounds as if he’s stealing your idea would the dealers tell you if they’ve been approached by

Another promoter what good would it do he’s got the building and it’s perfect for an antique mall operation it’s downtown it has parking in the municipal lot it’s in the traffic Hub kle started to tear up the plans not so fast Ernie wait and see what happens success breeds

Success and you’ve done a great job with the firewatch yes but the shooting it’s a tribute to you and Ruff and all the other volunteers that the fire watch will be continued till snow flies it could have been worse much worse if he hadn’t put his call through to the

Hotline when he did I wonder if they’ll ever find the killer kle said quillin drew a heavy hand over his mustache he had a hunch they would quillin drove home with a desire for a large dish of ice cream to comfort his distress over Kell’s plight on the

Bright side AO might be open opening a roller rink disco Hall video parlor or basketball arena then Ernie could have his Antique Village in a building designed for the purpose perhaps a Swiss Chalet like the curling club out in the country arriving at Indian village he

Stopped at the gate house for mail and was unlocking his mailbox when he caught a woman staring at his mustache he recognized her haird do Mrs Young we met at the rally yesterday I’m Jim Quillan I didn’t know you’re a villager I have a unit between Amanda good winter and

Susan xbridge she said I feel like an outof Town pyg me between two local Giants May I carry that package to your car for you I’m walking then let me drop you a chondo on the brief ride to River Road she said I didn’t get a chance to

Compliment you on your column Mr quillin quill please then you must call me Jeffer mcell and Shaw will be pleased to have your help during the tax R Us Jeffer qualified accountants don’t grow on trees in Moose County she invited him in for a drink and he accepted mindful that he was on

Thin ice this woman knew all about his life past present and future but was unaware of it soon he said you’ll be receiving invitations to last drink parties meaning the last drink before snowf Li after which you may be snowbound for up to a week have plenty of crossword

Puzzles on hand I always have my planetary calculations to work on she said my sideline is astrology is that so he exclaimed feigning surprise and expressing admiration it’s a fascinating science so exact it’s possible to chart an individual’s whole lifetime of planetary in influences given the time and place

Of birth it’s the calculation that’s absorbing it can be done faster by computer but I find the traditional method with mathematics more enjoyable what is needed is the exact hour and minute of birth taking into consideration time zones and standard or daylight time also needed is the latitude and longitude of the birthplace

In degrees and minutes soon quillin felt she would ask if he knew his birth data to deflect her train of thought he asked have you charted the lives of your family and do they check out as the years go by as a matter of fact that’s why I’m here she

Said my son is facing a challenge and I thought my motherly presence might give him moral support if nothing else she was eager to talk about her family and he listened with sympathetic nods and murmurs you probably know my son as Casper named after a revolutionary war hero but we

Call him Cass my father’s name was Jefferson which explains mine when my husband died Cass urged me to come here my daughter in Idaho wanted me to go there I have grandchildren in cordelan a lovely Resort town in the Northwest part of the state it was named by early

French explorers but it was cassa’s challenge that brought me here you know of course that he handled the construction for XYZ Enterprises even when he was a TT I knew he was born to build he went on to learn his craft in the east then established himself here

Because of the hunting and winter sports when a local developer took him in as a partner Cass was in his element yes when I came here XYZ was doing schools medical buildings housing everything it was the most prestigious firm in the county perhaps Three Counties there was one thing wrong

Jeffer said and you probably know what it was the senior partner was greedy he wanted to build fast and cut Corners Cass knew how to build with Integrity but he was overruled quillin was entranced by her soft Baltimore accent but he was surprised to hear her relating details

Of family Affairs he thought she’s lonely in a strange environment in need of someone to talk to had no one explained exped the dangers large and small of talking too much in a small town no doubt it was quillin’s sympathetic mean that encouraged her he also had a compulsion as a journalist

And a Gemini to hear it all he said it was an unfortunate situation why did Cass compromise why didn’t he quit well first he was making very good money and there was the outdoor life that meant so much to him and he was in love with a local woman

People have compromised for a lot less abruptly she asked do you know Don xbridge I do is he a friend of yours not by a long shot I’ve never forgiven him for trying to ruin breakfast Island fortunately nature had the last word did you see the item in the paper

About XYZ they’ve dissolved and Cass is striking out on his own as a house Builder the challenge will be I think overcoming his past reputation as a builder of leaky roofs quillin said Frank Lloyd Wright had the same image but came out smelling like a rose Cass needs to meet Dwight

Sers an expert at building favorable images and it wouldn’t hurt in a community like this if Cass married that woman of his and started a family Jeffer hesitated she’s married she’s currently married to Don xbridge quillin stood up then tell your son Jeffer that he really needs Dwight Somers thanks for

The refreshments I’ve enjoyed the chat I hope you’re very happy here let me know if there’s anything I can do arriving home he found a recorded message from Polly calling from the library come over at 6:00 if you’d like a surprise he envisioned beef stew or fried chicken from a library volunteer

They often brought their beloved director home-cooked food knowing she had little time to cook he showered and dressed wearing the royal blue madress shirt that she liked and the Scottish scent she had brought him from Canada at 6:00 sharp he let himself into her condo and was promptly confronted by

Brutus and Kata they seemed to be perturbed everything okay with you you guys he asked did you pass your feline enteritis tests they seemed to be thinking what is he doing here she’s getting ready to go out she fed us early Polly heard him and appeared on

The balcony putting on her best gold earrings I’m on my way to a dinner meeting of the Bird Club I told you about it didn’t I I’m sure I did but first I want you to read the letter on the foyer table the envelope was Hotel stationary postmarked Phoenix Arizona he read dear

Polly forgive me for leaving in such a rude fashion Henry seemed to think secrecy was advisable we’re being married tomorrow you know how I have been feeling about living my own life well Henry has convinced me that his Florence and my Harold God Rest their souls would want us to look after each

Other in our remaining years I don’t know where we’ll be living so don’t try to reach us here and please don’t mention that that you’ve heard from us I’ll write again fondly Maggie P.S my ladies are being well taken care of we’ll talk about it when I get home

Polly said as she rushed off to the Bird Club quillin huffed into his mustache he believed not a word of Maggie’s letter he shuffled home what now he was in the mood for a good dinner he was still wearing his royal blue mag shirt as soon as he reached unit four he

Phoned Jeff a young this is quill he said in a businesslike way it occurred to me that there are things you should know about political correctness and self-preservation in a small town are you free for dinner do you know Tipsy’s Tavern I’ve heard about the restaurant

And I’d love to meet her Royal Highness I was just about to thaw some soup but I’ll put it back in the freezer how nice of you to think of me coko was sitting on the desk eavesdropping well I’m batting 500 querin told him with satisfaction it was a successful evening

She was delighted with the Log Cabin The Tipsy myth the honest food and the grandmotherly service he asked her about Baltimore and cordelan her grandchildren and her late husband’s import business he also gave her the quiller an orientation lecture for which she was grateful do you have any questions he

Asked as the evening was coming to a close the restaurant was emptying they were lingering over coffee yes she said what is a pasty she pronounced it wrong of course with her education completed they drove back to Indian village and he dropped her at her doorstep at his own

Condo Koko was waiting excitedly there was a message on the machine it was a responsibility Koko took seriously Po’s voice said call me when you come home quill I have things to tell you he suspected she had startling information about the migration of certain species of birds he decided to wait until

Morning chapter 12 quillin phoned paully Tuesday morning at about 8:30 when she was preparing to leave for the library good morning you called last night he said with the genial voice of one who has slept well after a good dinner her reply had the Frantic tone of one who was a little

Late for work where were you I called three times before leaving a message I took our new neighbor Jeffer young to dinner at Tipsy’s oh really how did that happen I ran into her earlier in the day and she invited Ed me in for a drink oh really is she

Interesting very how was the Bird Club dinner did you have 4 and2 black birds baked in a pie she ignored the quip last night I called to tell you what one of our members heard from a sheriff’s deputy the license plate on the Killer’s

Car was not only out of state but it was stolen it could have been stolen by a local boy or girl residents of moose County liked to think that wrongdoers came from somewhere else well you’ll have to excuse me I’m late would you be good enough to run

Over and feed the cats yellow package or green package yellow thanks talk to you later quillin said I’ll be right back to coko and yum yum and hurried to unit one he had done this service for P’s cats many times before but they always regarded him like a burglar or a bill

Collector at best are you two Gormans ready for a big bowl of Health he asked Jovi as he poured dry food from the yellow package they looked at the bowl and looked questioningly at him as if expecting the green package that’s what she ordered and that’s what you’re

Getting he said as he hurried out the front door he arrived home in time to grab the telephone and hear the cheerful voice of the young managing editor saying hi quill have you heard that there is an astrologer in down you could get her to do your horoscope and then write a

Column about her Brusly he replied Jill Handley could have her horoscope done and then write a column on it I thought you were hard up for material not that hard up the snappish tone was nothing new the two men enjoyed bickering junior said this is Tuesday may I ask when you

Expect to file your copy for today’s paper have I ever missed a deadline is there is there any news in today’s newspaper Amanda had a scrap with the mayor at the council meeting last night that’s not news they’ve been scrapping for 10 years Homer tibit is in the

Hospital getting his knees fixed it’s about time his bones are very Loosely connected when you’re his age quill you’ll be Loosely connected too I’ll rust out long before I’m 98 any suspects in the shooting nope any inside information on the big one it must be on the way Junior said cats are getting

Nervous and men over 50 are getting crotchety there came a long loud yowl from the foyer that could be heard in downtown pickaxe I heard your Master’s Voice quill talk to you later then came an unusual sound from the living room sh sh followed by a thud coko was

Crouched on the coffee table looking over the edge the three red apples along with their overturned wood bowl were nestled in the Deep pile of the Danish rug that’s a new wrinkle quillin thought what the reason where’s the thrill no he said loudly that’s forbidden fruit nonchalantly the cat jumped to the

Floor and walked casually to the utility room where he could be heard scratching in his commode could he possibly associate the apples with the delivery man who had brought them he had howled at the moment of the man’s murder even for a cat with Coco’s paranormal propensities this was too much to expect

Perhaps he sensed that the apples were artificial and that fact Disturbed him perhaps he was simply curious how would a smooth as porcelain wooden Bowl slide across a smooth as glass wooden table or he might have been testing the rug the thud was less satisfying than the thk of

A book on a carpeted floor or the crash of a clay plant pot dropping 13 feet quillin reflected that the Siamese were living in fairly snug quarters compared to their domain in the converted Apple Barn coko might be making a subtle suggestion Apple Barn was something wrong at their summer

Address taking his thousand words for the quill pen he drove first to the 100-year-old barn on the outskirts of pickax he inspected the premises inside and out everything was in order except for a small Mouse starved to death on the kitchen floor had that been Coco’s Chief

Concern I’m a Fool quillin told himself I’m trying to read messages where none exist coko pushed that bowl of apples off the table because he felt like pushing a bowl of apples off the table he handed in his copy on Misty Morgan’s boutiques in time to make the noon deadline passing the feature

Department he was beckoned by Mildred rker could you and Polly come over some night to see our new sofa and have a little supper how little he asked if it’s too little I’m not interested you can have seconds and thirds she said this weekend I made my famous old Sho

Soup and will have it with crusty bread and a cheeseboard then an avocado salad then pumpkin pie it all sounds good except the soup he said did you never hear how I got the recipe she asked the department secretary to take her calls for a few minutes and then she told her

Story when I was very small I used to visit my grandparents Farm south of Toronto that was before moose County had tractors we were always 30 years behind the times they had horse drawn far f equipment and lots of Hired Hands who had to be fed an enormous dinner in the

Middle of the day once a week my grandmother would make bean soup in a big Wash Tub it was full of carrots onions potatoes and celery and it smelled so good when it was cooking my grandmother said it was because she always put an old shoe in with the beans

And stuff she let me stand on a chair and see for myself as she stirred it with a long- handled wooden spoon sure enough there it was an Old Farm boot I asked her if she had to have a different boot each week and she said

Yes all the farmers and farm hands in the community saved their old boots for Grandma’s soup when I went home I told my mother and I suffered the first disenchantment of my life she said it was a large ham bone I insisted I could see the shoestrings she said there was a

Lot of meat left on the bone some kids were disenchanted when they learned the truth about Santa Claus but but I was disenchanted when I learned the truth about the old shoe and I still think of my grandmother every time I make bean soup quillin said I dare you to print

The recipe on the food page someone would fail to get the joke mild said and I’d be arrested by the Board of Health on the way to the municipal parking lot quiller and met mcell how’ you like the rally Mack good show they collected over 2,000 for the

Ru Abby fund what did you think of jeffa young fine woman you’re lucky to get her for your staff I hear you took her to dinner is she going to do your chart the subject never came up Ma she’s doing Gordies and mine you should have one Quail I’ll bear it in

Mind this was quillin’s way of turning down a suggestion but the suggestion would not go away at home home Polly called him speaking in an apologetic way Quail I’ve been asked to get some information from you by hook or by crook asked by whom it doesn’t sound good it’s perfectly respectable it’s for

A Christmas gift all I need is the place and hour of your birth uhoh it sounds like one of Mildred’s tricks tell her I don’t want a horoscope I’d rather have a hand painted neck tie with a Bowa constrict on it after hanging up he huffed into his

Mustache the subterfuge had gone too far Susan would be blackmailing him in a gal way the only solution was to go to Jeffy young and make a clean rest of it but not right now coko was on the desk sniffing at the day’s mail he could tell which envelopes

Came from people having cats or dogs one was from B gous Campbell a print out of Phineas Ford’s fabulous collection back in the 1920s there was a Feed and Seed dealer in bird Township who was a real nice guy hardworking honest with his customers and devoted to

His wife they had no children and it was his way of showing kindness and understanding by taking her for a ride every Sunday afternoon in his Maxwell or was it a model tea they would buy strawberries or a pumpkin depending on the season and stop at an ice cream

Parlor in town for a soda his wife also liked to visit antique shops she never bought anything just looked every town had an antique shop and every Farmhouse had a barn full of junk and a sign that said antiques as she wandered through the jumble of castoffs her husband trudged

Behind her looking left and right and wondering why people bought such stuff what once in a while he played a little joke on her as they drove she would say stop there’s an antique shop and he would say where where and speed up sometimes she’d insist that he turn

Around and go back on one of these occasions she had her own way and they visited a farmhouse collection of this and that Phineas traing beautifully behind his wife suddenly he saw something that aroused his curiosity and he asked the farm wife what it was a scamed she said early American very

Rare found only in the midwest how much do you want for it oh a dollar I guess she said give you 90 cents Phineas was no fool he carried it to the car and put it on the back seat causing his wife to ask what’s that

Thing what thing that thing on the back seat that’s a scammer didle he said casually as if he bought one every day early American you know very rare found only in the midwest oh she said what are you going to do with it put it in the china

Cabinet every weekend after that Phineas found pleasure in antiquing forever searching for another scamle one Sunday he found it now he had two he was a collector they began to travel farther a field into a joining counties and to phineas’s Delight there was an occasional scamed to be found the

Shopkeepers knowing his interest kept their eyes open and produced an occasional treasure he was paying $2 now and no Dickering he built a room onto their house lined with shelves and one glass case for Choice examples the Breakthrough came when another collector died and Phineas bought his entire

Collection a magazine called him the scamed diddle King he built another larger room and paid paid the high dollar for the few remaining scamed three museums were bidding to buy the Phineas Ford collection posthumously then tragedy Struck One fateful night his house was struck by lightning and burned to the ground

Reducing the entire scamle collection to ashes and that’s why today there’s not a single scamle to be found in the United States querin chuckled long and lustily before phoning the antique shop Susan he said seriously do you ever run across any scam dles in your travels any what he

Repeated it and spelled it I see whirly gigs and nitty noodies but I’ve never seen a scamle but then folk things aren’t my specialty Iris Cobb would know if she were here well when you go to that Big Show in New York will you inquire around how high are you you

Willing to go she asked not over a thousand chapter 13 on Wednesday quillin went downtown to pick up Pie’s groceries in front of the pickaxe People’s National Bank of America He Came Upon burges Campbell and friend and he said heartily Professor morti I believe are you planning to rob

The bank there was a momentary hand clasp Sherlock how Str you should ask Alexander has been sniffing out the security traps shouldn’t you be in the lecture hall Professor not until 1:00 would you like to audit political foibles of the early 19th century I have a new baffo about Congress that you

Probably never heard opening each lecture with a joke he maintained put his students in a relaxed and receptive mode and no one was ever late quillin declined the invitation only if you know the one about the preacher who thought his bicycle had been stolen but let me tell you that your

Scam little scam is a gem of all the tales I’ve collected it’s the only real leg puller I hope you can credit my father Prentice Campbell III he was an unreconstructed Joker from there querin went to the library to break the news that he would not be joining Polly for leftovers that

Evening he stopped at the circulation desk to stroke mack one of the resident cats and inquired about Katie she had to go to the vet to have her teeth cleaned the clerk looked up at the glass and clothed office on the mezzanine Mrs Duncan has somebody with her no hurry I’ll

Browse browsing among the cataloged jacketed well-bound dust-free titles in the public library lacked the sense of adventure he had known at head’s additions a part of his life had gone up in smoke after a while a man walked down the stairs and quillin walked up that was Dr Emerson from Black Creek Polly

Said he wants to donate a suitable Memorial to his late mother she was an eminent Church woman an enthusiastic reader and a lifelong Knitter excuse me if I start my lunch from her lunch box arose The Familiar whiff of tuna he said I’ll pick up your groceries but I’m

Afraid I can’t have dinner tonight oh really he paused long enough for her to imagine the worst scenario then said it’s WEA be Goods night off and he’s taking me to the curling club I’m treating to dinner where will you go to The Nutcracker in just to check it out

If the food and atmosphere are good you and I will go preferably before snow flies he left her before before she could offer him a carrot stick and drove to the art center the parking lot was filled to overflowing and the manager Barb Ogie greeted him with excitement quill look

At the response to your column about btiq printing standing room only do you want to squeeze in it’s almost over he chose to wait in the downstairs Gallery until the scraping of chairs hubub of voices and chugging of departing Vehicles told him the program was over Misty was thrilled with the attendance

And the number who signed up for the course eight women and one man some of them from lockmaster County this is my week she said to quillin First the really super column that you wrote then the great turnout and then this afternoon I signed the contract for 10 shaft house

Boutiques my Patron doesn’t want the commission or his identity to be known until the project is finished but I’ll give you a sneak peek at the sketches if you’ll promise not to tell the 10 shaft houses were basically similar but the artist’s eye had discerned their individuality the structures were

Sketched from different angles and Wildlife was introduced a dough with fawn a raccoon crows chasing a hawk an antler Buck a pair of squirrels Misty said I normally ask 2,000 for 3×4 custom designed but I’ll have to buy extra Vats and hire students to help and Theo

Thinks I should ask 5,000 but that sounds rather High to me quillin agreed with her husband your Patron sounds less like an art lover and more like an investor who thinks shaft houses will disappear from the landscape and the boutiques will appreciate and value on the way out he had a few words

With the manager Barb oovy loved her new job was teaching a class in art knitting and had started dating Misty’s brother-in-law walking to the parking lot quillin said I to a tall man who was taking long strides toward the building The Tall Man made an equally expressionless response wait a minute

Quillin told himself that was Don xbridge he’s going in to sign the contract for 10 boutiques he has no interest in art and had no interest in shaft houses until his recent letter to the editor and that was of questionable sincerity hurrying to the cell phone in his van

Quillin called the building he had just left and asked to speak with Misty Barb said she’s just gone into an important conference this is more important and confidential Barb quill speaking he take the call in your office don’t mention my name Misty came to the phone with

Weariness in her hello this is quill he said I saw your Patron entering the building and know who he is a shrewd operator take Theo’s advice ask 5,000 he can afford it and the art is worth it also ask innocently what he intends to do with them his reaction should be

Revealing if he gives you an answer it should be interesting though not necessarily honest you drive the weatherman said to quillin when they met at 6 p.m. I’ve got the Jitters as they headed for the Nutcracker in he explained I just got a bummer of a letter from my ex-wife

First one since the divorce 5 years ago she wants us to get together again how do I handle it ignore it tell her a drop dead there’s no point in trying to explain reasonably she’s like a bulldog won’t let go I like my lifestyle my job my friends the idea of having relatives

And horseradish also there’s a girl down there that I like a lot nothing serious quillin said I suspected you didn’t go down there to visit your sisters and your cousins and your aunts why did your marriage break up if I may ask she wanted me to go back to school get

Another degree and become a serious scientist let’s face it I’m an Entertainer and weather is my gimmick but she nagged and nagged and nagged why did your marriage break up Quil in-law trouble she married me without her parents permission in the first place they scorned the media and I

Was a gypsy journalist working for a different paper every two years taking assignments all over the globe they talked her into divorcing me saying I wasn’t good enough for her I’d never amount to anything I drank soon after she had an ous breakdown for which I was

Blamed of course her parents were loaded but they sent me her hospital bills after that I really hit the bottle couldn’t hold a job almost killed myself before I came to my senses and got help I usually don’t go into these details how would you feel quill if she suddenly suggested a

Reconciliation she died a few years ago in an institution for a while there was nothing to say until quillin remarked with so many failed marriages one forgets how many are successful the Lance speaks the mcwell Junior and jod good winter Fran bro’s parents the McGill Lori and Nick Bamba the Buster

Ogl Homer tibit and the tibits are practically newlyweds Weatherby said at their age every year counts 10 what about the mayor I never hear anything about his home life he has a wife no kids Betty’s a home body his hter goes out selling stocks and bonds playing golf and pressing the flesh his

Wife runs a mail order business for her handcrafts have you heard of Betty bl’s bun warmers no and I’m gripping the steering wheel to avoid falling off the seat what are they handmade baskets with handwoven napkins for keeping dinner rolls warm she advertises in craft magazines and does very

Well only one old building remained in Black Creek which had been a thriving town on a busy waterway in the 19th century the limberger Mansion had been purchased by the Kling and Chen foundation and was now making its debut as a country in there had been magnific

Black walnut trees in the vicinity and the Mansion had the treasured black walnut woodwork hence the name the Nutcracker in quillin said to wetherbe I was in this house when the old man was alive an eccentric old Geer there was a cuckoo clock in the front hall it’s

Gone a good thing too was the reply it would have driven the guests crazy or perhaps I should say cuckoo when the inkeeper welcomed them quillin asked about facilities for lodging and was told there were four large rooms on the second floor two Suites on the third floor and five semi

Housekeeping cabins down by the creek open all year round that depends what happens after snow flies the K foundation will make the decision I’m Chicago based under contract to train staff and get the place running then hire permanent inke Keepers from the locality I know the ideal couple quillin

Said Lori and Bamba have the personality for inke keeping and a certain amount of experience good tell them to apply to the K Foundation when they were seated in the dining room weatherbe said I remember the bombas they had a BNB at breakfast Island what happened the weather didn’t

Cooperate Lori is working at the pet Plaza now kbec is having its annual Roundup of stray cats before the big one moves in any stray that’s adopted will be spayed or neutered with tips I’s Tavern paying for it Tipsy herself was as stray 70 years ago quillin said did

You see that teaser ad for a new recreation center in pickax what do you suppose it is who knows they promise fun for the whole family and did you see the letters to the editor in Monday’s paper they’re all nuts did you hear that we have a professional astrologer living in

The village I’m thinking of having my horoscope done she does it in depth why don’t you have yours done quill I’m a Scorpio sexy and talkative what are you a Gemini talented likable sensitive kind generous sure wetherby said how about filling me in on curling before we go to

The club how many on a team four and a captain called a skip how big is the rink a little wider than a bowling alley and longer the target called the house is a circle of concentric rings and the bullseye is called the tea and what are

The stones and brooms called stones and brooms what does the skip do he reads the ice there’s fast ice and slow ice he calls the plays when to sweep when to take out an opponent’s Stone how much weight to put into the throw a lot of

Strategy and a lot of skill go into the game also a lot of suspense for the Watchers it won’t be crowded tonight but you should see it when they have a tournament called a bons Spiel the pickaxe Curling Club had been built out out in the country where land

Was affordable and there was plenty of space for parking during a bonspiel it looked everyone said like a Swiss Chalet and the interior expressed friendliness the essence of the sport of curling quillin later described his reactions in his personal Journal Joe and I started in the warming room where I saw a few

Persons I knew Theo and Misty Morgan Fran Brody and Dr prelate hickie rice and Dwight Somers Jeffy young with of all people Kurt Nightingale was he trying to sell her some books or was she lining him up for a natal chart Dwight thanked me for recommending

Him to Cass young and said he could do the Builder a lot of good while chatting with the Morgans I heard something enlightening Misty’s secret Patron I happen to know he’s Don xbridge dropped in at her Studio to inquire if she could meet a certain deadline he said there for use in a

Large restaurant with balconies and the boutiques would hang from the balcony railings the restaurant wanted to open before snow flies it would help if she could deliver a few of the boutiques if not the whole order so that explained why Ernie Kell’s offer for the building was rejected xbridge is going into

Business with the former owner of Otto’s tasty eats Joe pointed out Cass young a good-looking man tall and straight like his mother Cass and the me members of the ice committee were dealing with the problem so we didn’t intrude it appeared that the new compressor machine was not

Maintaining the ice properly and there was a bond Spiel scheduled for Saturday the technician had to come from Bixby and he had a prior emergency but he would come late if someone would promise to let him in mechanical equipment restrooms and lockers were on a lower

Level but we could see a small trophy area at the foot of the stairs there was a commemorative curling Stone on a pedestal and a pair of crossed pickaxes on the wall the same Insignia that appears in the small pin worn by members in the warming room a chalkboard

Listed the evening’s matches through a plate glass window The Rinks could be seen someone was planing the ice which would then be sprayed with water to provide a pebble defect if the ice was too slick the stones would fly off into the next County during the game players

Would sweep the ice with brooms to get the ice dust and water out of the path of the moving Stones when the matches began and we went to the spectators Gallery I discovered what a civilized sport this was no fights on the ice no abusive shouts from the

Onlookers who casts the first stone I asked Joe the first player approached the hack the footboard that keeps a curler from flying down the ice with the stone there was a moment of concentration then a Crouch and a lunge and the stone went gliding serenely down the rink to me that Dynamic lunge

Created a moment of suspense like the baseball pitchers wind up The discus throwers spin or the cab tossers stagger with towering pole I found the whole experience hypnotic watching the stone as it journeyed across the ice curling around an obstacle traveling not too far

But far enough how do they do it with a Twist of the wrist or with sheer willpower meanwhile Cries From players and Spectators fill the arena sweep take it out good rock lay it up off the broom we got the hammer good wait later in the warming room I met

Cass young and said I’d like to join the club he signaled to a young red-haired Woman new member grab him before he gets away she brought an application C and asked if I’d like to sign up for instruction then a wild-eyed member of the ice committee rushed up and said I

Can’t wait for the technician got to take my wife to the hospital she’s due I’ll stay said Cass go home don’t worry I hope it’s a boy he called after the disappearing figure I hope it’s a girl said the redhead on the way home Weatherby said

Do you know who the redhead is Don xbridge is second wife she in the process of divorcing him I heard about that quillin said but when I met her last year at a dinner party she seemed like a mousy little creature Don likes mousy wetherby said he wants to be the

Whole cheese actually Robin that’s spelled with a Y has a good personality the red hair is something new quillin said when Susan divorced da she started calling everyone darling and opened a posh antique shop what do you suppose Robin will do with her divorce settlement she’s already resumed her former occupation freelance manicurist

House calls only do you think you’ll take curling instruction I think not I’m a professional spectator and my hobby is people watching would you come in for a night cap I have some especially good scotch that seems like an appropriate cap on the evening when they reached the Willows

And let themselves into unit four a horrendous sound met their ears my God what’s that wetherby gasped a gut-wrenching growl ended in an earsplitting shriek quillin groaned dreading the message and fearing another volunteer had been struck down it’s Coco he said hely I heard it the other night

Through the wall and thought the Wolves were back in Moose county is it something he ate it’s a mystery quillin chose not to reveal a family secret let’s have that night cap after wetherby had his nip of scotch and returned to unit 3 to take a shower audible through the thin walls quillin

Phoned the night desk at the something no they said there had been no incident on the police beat chapter 14 quillin was roused early by a phone call from his nextdoor neighbor bad news quill a guy at the station Who belongs to the curling club and knows I do he

Just phoned to say that Cass young fell down those Stone steps to the lower level and killed himself may have hit his head on that curling Stone on display he was waiting for the technician you remember could have been passing the time with a beer

Could have been in too much of a hurry to get to the restroom are you there are you awake I’m listening quillin said I don’t know what to say it’ll be on the next hourly news just thought I’d alert you had a good time last night so did

I it was too late to go back to bed and too early to get up and as quillin pushed the button on the coffee maker he thought forget the beer forget the restroom his mustache was twitching and he tapped it with his knuckles coko knew something murderous had happened and coko was never

Wrong the public would prefer to think it an accident crime was something they wanted to think did not happen here how soon they forgot the unsavory incidents of the past within minutes the phone rang again it was Susan speaking without her usual flippancy Quail we’ve had a tragedy on

River Road early this morning I was awakened by vehicle lights and voices outside my window the sheriff’s C was next door I went out in my robe thinking something Dreadful had happened to jeffa but they were notifying her that her son had suffered a fatal accident at the

Curling club I phoned Dr Diane and she came rushing over and jeffa asked me to call her daughter in Idaho isn’t it awful quill is there anything at all that I could do well Jeffer had me call Mack mccannell and he’s going to take charge of everything but you could pick up the

Daughter at the airport she’ll arrive on the 5:30 shuttle her name is Angela Parsons Jeffer strikes me as a strong woman quillin said yes she’s not one to collapse but Diane gave her a light sedative and she’s sleeping a caregiver will stay with her till Angela arrives

Isn’t it terrible she lost her husband this year and now this quillin suppressed the urge to go downtown for breakfast and evees drop on the gossip about Cass Young’s faults as a builder and his friendship with the second Mrs xbridge he chose to work on his Friday column announcing the winners

Of the Hau contest yum yum always filled with contentment when he was reading or writing toed on the blue cushion at top the refrigerator coko was Restless pushing things off tables pencils books and the bowl of wooden apples landed on the flooor at 2:00 querin picked up his

Newspaper paper at the gate house and found full details of the accident with statements from the technician who had found the body and reported it and the medical examiner and the officers of the club the last person to see him alive was quoted a sidebar described the clubhouse and an engineer explained the

Equipment necessary to maintain the quality of ice the sports page went into the history of curling everything quillin muttered except accept the Salient question who pushed him working on Friday’s quill pen column was a welcome respit after the disturbing implications of Koko’s midnight message most contest entrance

Squeezed a personal note as well as a short poem on a postal card eight winners had been chosen by the three judges Polly Duncan Junior good winter and Roa tibit a fifth grader wrote if I win I’ll give my yellow pencil to my two cats nippy and

Tucky catnap fur pillow on my chair three ears two tails one nose no Paws the entries ranged from Whimsical to thought-provoking a retired nurse explained I worked for a large industrial firm down below and one of the bookkeepers died after being on the payroll for 30 years years her obituary

In the employee newspaper consisted of only 11 words it made me cry obituary she had such pretty white hair and was always very pleasant birds and butterflies were favorite topics and a bird watcher won a yellow pencil for this one birdling a baby Phoebe drunk with youth is staggering on the breeze

Another nature lover wrote this actually happened to me 20 years ago and I’ve never forgotten it Monarch once a pair of orange wings a lighted on my finger and I smiled for days a student in her senior year in high school submitted this Moody revery listen the wet sounds of a rainy

Day why do they make me feel so wistful a man wrote I’m the dad of a 2-year-old and a four-year-old who are both bursting with energy Can I submit two poems rocking horse hurry child ask your questions tomorrow there may be no answers tricycle hurry child find your

Answers tomorrow there may be no questions only one entry was submitted another anonymously lost love too warm too kind too good too near too much when quillin handed in his copy to Junior the managing editor who was a father of two said that his favorite verses were submitted by the father of

Two that figures quillin said my favorite was a non-winner apparently a fifth grade teacher in sawdust City assigned her class to enter the contest or else one rebellious youth submitted my teacher wears thick glasses and makes us do things we don’t want to do I think I’ll send him a yellow pencil for

Honesty and bravery what’s your topic for next Tuesday I haven’t decided that’s 4 days away the way things are going in this town someone might bomb the Moose County something before leaving the building he went into the ready room and found Roger mcgil sitting with his feet on the table

Waiting for another assignment and probably hoping he could get home to dinner it had been his by line on the banner story compliments on your Cass young coverage it was very thorough my coverage is always thorough Roger said it’s the editors who cut it down is

There a story behind the story only that Cass had a slider on his left foot that should have been covered with a gripper a rash oversight for someone known for preaching safety quillin smoothed his mustache unless someone removed the gripper after the socalled accident hey that’s an interesting angle

Stick around for a while there’s some coffee left Roger said with sudden animation I can’t I’m picking up his sister at the airport when the shut shtle flight arrived from Minneapolis quillin scanned the passengers in search of a tall straight darkhaired counterpart of jeffa Young no One fitted the description

There were business day Trippers with briefcases or laptops hikers with backpacks Shoppers with tote bags from the best stores one woman disembarked slowly casting disapproving glances left and right Mrs Parsons He guessed she nodded I’m to drive you to your mother’s house I’m Jim quillin a

Neighbor of hers do you have luggage a black zipper overnight she was shorter than her mother and of less striking appearance how far is it she asked as if it mattered about a 15-minute ride you’re not seeing us at our best because you’re too late for the Autumn color and

Too early for the winter wonderland we’re expecting the storm called the big one any day now how long do you plan to stay just long enough to convince her to move to Idaho she should have come to us in the first place we can offer a more congenial environment you know a family

Situation with grandchildren birthday cakes Thanksgiving dinners and all that quillin huffed into his mustache in the short time Mrs Young has been here she seems to have enjoyed making friends pursuing her Hobby and finding an outlet for her professional skills she can do all that in Idaho he cleared his

Throat I met your brother for the first time at the curling club last night and was shocked to hear about his accident you have my deepest sympathy what do they say caus the accident she asked coolly a fall down a flight of stone stairs after everyone else had left he

Had graciously offered to wait for a technician who was traveling a long distance to make emergency repairs the man found Cass at the foot of the stairs did they say whether he’d been drinking she asked sharply it wasn’t a consideration apparently how many grandchildren does Jeffer have Mrs Parsons we have two

Girls and a boy between four and eight they’re all excited about meeting their grandmother for the first time What attracted you to Idaho I presume you’re a native of Maryland I’m interested in the preservation of the environment and I went vacationing in the Northwest part of the state and fell

In love with it you should visit the area if you like it around here you’ll like Idaho 10 times more thank you for the suggestion it’s something to keep in mind when they arrived in Jeff’s driveway he told her to go in and he would bring the luggage mother and

Daughter were embracing in the doorway when he pulled away I didn’t see any tears quillin told Polly when he reported to her condo later in the evening she had invited him to a soup supper and had prepared his favorite baked potato soup a cream base flavored with cheese and bacon bits and

Loaded with chunks of yesterday’s baked potatoes skins and all it was another of Pie’s leftover masterpieces what was the daughter like she asked not as handsome or sophisticated as Jeffer she doesn’t expect to stay long judging by the size of her overnight bag she didn’t show any

Signs of mourning for her brother I wonder what the funeral arrangements would be my spies at the library know all the particulars Polly said m mcwell is taking care of everything according to Jeff’s wishes cremation no funeral but a memorial service to be planned by the

Two curling clubs I hope Jeff stays here Big Mac is depending on her help with the tax Rush he was being very solic solitus at Amanda’s rally one can’t help wondering you know his wife is terminally ill quillin said I’ll be willing to bet that jeffa stays here chapter

15 when quillin was preparing the cat’s breakfast they sat watching him intently Coco looking intelligent and yum yum looking hungry speak to them on your own intellectual level he believed and they will respond accordingly he said to Koko will you reiterate your recent midnight message if you still suspect Foul Play slap the

Floor three times with your tail Koko’s tail remained virtually glued to the vinyl but the doorbell rang and Susan xbridge was on the doorstep darling I’m on my way to the shop but I have news come in he said said have a cup of coffee your coffee is wonderful but

Don’t let me stay I’m meeting a fabulously affluent customer she went directly to the loungy sofa love this rug it’s not my taste but it’s so sensually correct with your furniture he served coffee she recognized his Jensen tray he admired her earrings she said they were hallmarked English silver buttons he

Said Excuse me while I finish feeding the cats they were on the kitchen counter and had finished feeding themselves finally he joined his guest with a coffee mug and said well I delivered Angela to her mother’s house as requested what did you think of her to tell the truth she

Seemed cold and calculating and not at all concerned about her brother’s death she doesn’t have her mother’s commanding stature I noticed she’s a stepdaughter Susan told him when Jeffer married Mr Young he was a widower with a daughter then they had a son together quillin nodded understandable and what’s your news

Darling I don’t need to tell you how thin the walls are in this development last night I heard an awful row next door between the two women it was embarrassing but not so embarrassing that you didn’t listen I hope actually I couldn’t catch a word

But I heard a door slam and then all was quiet but this morning the airport mine came for Angela she’s gone I think Jeffer is staying here Big Mac will have his help during the tax rush and I may get my hands on that he white sideboard for the New York

Show was quillin’s only comment Mack has come to the rescue like a big brother making all Arrangements he’s treasurer of the curling club you know so he has a double interest in the case have you talked to Robin yes and I feel so sorry for her she she and jeffa

Are the chief mourners and it’s very touching how they’re consoling each other Donald is probably laughing his head off rat that he is y came a loud comment from coko who was on the table in the foyer as if to Speed The Parting guest well I must tear myself away Susan

Said thanks for the coffee and don’t forget I’m interested in the St Louis picture after she had left Coco continued to sit on the carved Oak glove box one of his favorite perches in recent days he treated it like a pedestal for the sculptural poses he liked to strike Vanity Vanity quillin

Observed he turned his attention to the speech he was scheduled to make that evening at the urging of his friend Kip mcdad editor of The lockmaster Ledger he had consented to be after dinner speaker at a meeting of the literary Club his decision was influenced no doubt by the

Choice of meeting place an upscale restaurant in Horse Country the Palamino Paddock a veteran at making such speeches he knew what his audience would want to know one how he had learned his craft he gave credit to a 10th grade English teacher Mrs fishey two his favorite authors trop

Fler Nabokov and Mark Twain three what it’s like to be a twice we columnist rough fun challenging underpaid four where he gets his ideas I stare at my cat and he stares at me eyeball to eyeball and my brain goes into high gear five what he enjoyed most about

Writing for Metropolitan newspapers down below the Press clubs half serious and half entertaining his talks always attracted a few more subscribers for the Moose County something the dinner meeting at the Palamino Paddock was held in a private room really two rooms thrown together because of the number of reservations

After the medallions of beef and the strawberries with pepper corn sauce the lockmaster editor introduced The Notorious columnist from the barbaric County to the north quillin began by saying needless to mention I took the precaution of being vaccinated before before venturing on this foreign soil the question and answer session

That followed the talk included a discussion of hi coup since most of the audience had read that day’s quill pan then Kip mcdad closed the program with a tongue in cheek Hau sick hat burnt toast flat tire computer down business as usual it was after midnight when quillin

Reached reached Indian village as he turned into River Road a vehicle ahead of him pulled up to Amanda good Winter’s condo a passenger hurried indoors while Amanda herself brought luggage from the trunk querin was positive the guest was Maggie sprinkle unfortunately it was too late

To call Polly and ask if she knew what was happening several questions bothered him what is Maggie doing here and why the apparent secrecy did she come by chartered plane it was too late for scheduled flights still without answers on Saturday morning he chose to do some private sleuthing before involving Polly

In the mystery he went downtown for coffee and scones at the Scottish Bakery and found Burgess cample doing the same after the usual Celtic banter quiller and said as a teaser I hear that Henry Zer and Maggie sprinkle have gone out west together together and plan to

Marry it’ll never happen the other man said she’s a fanatic about cats and he has an over fastidious objection to living under the same roof with an animal did you ever meet her late husband quill he was an easygoing fellow famous for his Rose Garden he used to

Invite me over to smell the roses and he’d describe every Bush as if it were a friend all Henry’s friends are on the golf course no whoever spread the rumor about him and Maggie doesn’t know what he’s talking about someday quillin said I’d like to write a piece about the intelligent

Well-mannered unflappable Alexander he’s such a well-known dog about town that could be arranged burges said although you shouldn’t flatter him too much I wouldn’t want him getting a swelled head quillin’s next stop was the design studio Amanda was inhouse scowling at the Saturday Shoppers who were just looking quillin hastened their departure

By following them around like a store detective it worked how’s the campaign going Amanda he asked if you win I want to be appointed ambassador to lockmaster I’ve got you slated for Secretary of trash collection she snapped I see you have a house guest from out of town what do you mean didn’t

I see Maggie sprinkle arriving last night Amanda paused for only two heartbeats you didn’t see her understand you did not see her if you say so he said pleased at the hint of intrigue the person I didn’t see must have arrived by chartered plane in order

To land under cover of dark darkness no comment her tight lipped downturned mouth put an end to the conversation but as he bowed out she called after him don’t mention this to Polly he drove home in a good mood he now had a riddle to solve something to

Stretch his wits the sight of Coco waiting at the door suggested a solution want to go for a walk old boy quillin jingled the cat’s harness and Leash Yow was the enthusiastic response whenever they walked Outdoors he rode on the man’s shoulder it gave him an elevated View and kept his paws

Clean a firm hand on the leash prevented any impulsive moves they made their exit through the sliding glass doors in the living room across the open deck and down the steps to the riverbank Trail well carpeted with fallen leaves it rustled crisply underfoot quillin headed North toward the other

Condo clusters occasionally stopping to pick up a stone and hurl it across the river or what was left of the rushing water drought had reduced it to a brook conscientiously gurgling its way to the lake the scene had a Saturday quiet the career folk who lived there were at work

Or shopping or catching up on domestic demands poly for example was organizing for winter laundering and storing her warm weather clothing and bringing her winter wardrobe out of storage it was a semiannual ritual that quillin had learned to respect when he reached the rear of The

Birches he knew that the first unit was Amanda’s he stopped to pitch a stone hoping that Maggie would be in the living room looking out the wall of glass he had a good throwing arm left over from his college days when he had been noticed by a scout for the Chicago

Cubs he flung several stones coko watched with interest once he yowled out a boy quillin said as he pitched another chunk of rock coko yowled again almost immediately there was tapping on the window and the sound of a sliding glass door querin looked up feigning surprise and saw an arm beckoning slowly he

Walked toward the deck and climbed the steps Maggie was in the doorway putting a finger to her lips cautioning him to be silent once inside the house with the sliding door closed he said in a hushed voice Maggie what are you doing here why didn’t you let us know it’s a long story

She said wearily and I’m really not at Liberty to discuss it this was hardly the effusive grandiose Maggie everyone knew noticeably absent was the hugging coko perched on quillin’s shoulder looked down at her and gurgled a throaty purr he knows I’m a cat person she said sit down quill may I hold

Him the leash was unsnapped and coko settled down on her lap though not a lap Cat by temperament he seemed to know that therapy was needed she stroked him and he purred lustily I’ve missed my ladies so much she murmured they well and happy at the pet Plaza quillin assured her I happen

To be over there and noticed their names on the name plates is Henry with you Maggie her answer was hesitant no he didn’t come this time are felicitations in order he asked cheerfully have the Wedding Bells been ringing no I’m afraid they’re postponed she stroked the cat’s fur

Nervously you missed Amanda’s rally it was very well done Derek sang an original campaign song people said the event had everything except Maggie sprinkle he knew that would touch a heartstring oh quill she said pathetically I’m so upset I’m not supposed to talk to anyone until I’ve

Seen Henry’s lawyer I see well I won’t pry into your business but if there’s anything I can do drive you anywhere or offer any brotherly advice you know I’m trustworthy and sympathetic I know I heard someone speaking very highly of your late husband this morning Jeremy yes we spent 40 happy years together

Quill I never intended to marry Henry it was just he had to leave town he thought it would save face you won’t breathe a word of this will you of course not Maggie I hope Henry isn’t in any serious trouble did you know Cass young only by reputation until Wednesday night at the

Curling Club just a few hours before his accident Henry thinks it wasn’t an accident Maggie said in a hushed voice y said the cat on her lap oh my what a loud voice you have coko does he want to go home he’s trying to tell you someone’s coming we’ll leave he grabbed

Coko and headed for the sliding door the doorbell rang it’ll be Mr Bennett Maggie said I’ll stall until you get away Koko’s body vibrated all the way home supercharged by the intense stroking quillin kept a tight lead on the cat lest he should feel an Impulse

To take wing it had been an exhilarating adventure for both of them the man’s strategy had worked the cat seemed to have done all the right things on Q it had been revealed that Henry had to leave Town it sounded as if he were involved in financial dealings that were

Illegal and now his attorney was trying to make a deal with the prosecutor with Maggie as goet if so it was serious business Bennett was senior partner of Hassel Rich Bennett and barter despite the death of Hassel the name of the firm had been retained at least temporarily quillin thought poor Maggie

So outgoing honest and generous still married to the memory of Jeremy and his rose garden and lonesome for her five ladies and she was cast in an unfamiliar role of secrecy and complicity with unknown Stakes how would she explain the cat hairs on her clothing back home and released from his

Harness coko sniffed noses with yum yum who had come to meet him and had a few laps of water and prowled around the house to see if anything new had been added after which he soared to the mantle and stayed there for the next two hours stretched full length exhausted by his

Adventure chapter 16 now quillin had two hot news items he could not reveal even to close friends Henry’s reason for leaving town and Maggie’s secret return the arrival of Jeff’s stepdaughter and her sudden angry departure were already stale news on the pickax Grapevine this was the evening for

Viewing the Riker’s sofa and having a little supper safe topics would be the weather the accident at the curling club the teaser ads that had been running in the something Kip mcdy mid’s ha coup that convulsed the literary club and yum yums hoarding of socks under the rear

Rug there would also be be comment on Friday’s alarming headline po murals must go the historic moose County murals that have made the pickax post office a tourist attraction and a mecca for the citizenry are doomed to disappear otherwise the building will be condemned as a public safety hazard and

Permanently closed postmaster Bill buncome said this comes as a shock we were worried about peeling paint drifting down on customers like dandruff but had no idea it was life-threatening but when the experts tested it they lowered the Boom the building will be closed until further notice and post

Office business will be shifted to the vacant buildings on Book Alley County historian Homer tibit said when the murals were painted during the Depression there were no artists here capable of working in heroic scale so artists were brought in from elsewhere in the state but they used local folks

For models miners loggers Farm wives and so on today their descendants come into the post office and see Grandma or great grandpa up there on the wall she’s pedaling a spinning wheel and he’s climbing up a ladder with cold dust on his face it’s a shame to take this away

From them but if the murals are life-threatening there’s no choice it was Twilight when quillin called for Polly to go to see the Riker’s New Sofa hearing no music as he passed weatherbe Goods unit he assumed his neighbor was in horseradish with his inamorata Kurt nightingale’s place was

Dark he was undoubtedly at the Country Club Polly was feeding the cats and he helped by changing their drinking water and policing their commode then they strolled to The Birches Amanda’s unit was dark she might be dining with clients in purple Point who would be plotting her political career first mayor then County

Commissioner then Jeffer was home and Robin’s car was there there was a small Robin painted on the driver’s door Susan’s place was dark her bridge club would be meeting at the clubhouse and having a cater dinner some kind of chicken at the Riker’s condo the forsome assembled with the warm pleasure of old

Friends who see each other often there were cries of where’s the sofa it was admired from all angles sat upon and compared to the old one the fabric Mildred said was an abstract jard weave treated to resist soil the color Arch said was the color of good scotch with Mildred’s casserole of

Mosaka arch was serving a local wine from The Windy Cliff Vineyard in Burr Township for quillin he had a white grape juice imported from Ohio he kept waving his hand over the the top of the open bottles fruit flies he explained in November quillin asked Arch clapped his hands smartly together

Got them he looked at his palms the little devil Got Away Mildred said they’re not fruit flies Arch I’m afraid you have floaters what what do you mean you reached middle age without seeing small specks dancing in front of your eyes according to my theologist Polly

Said the vitous gel in the eye thickens or shrinks forming clumps or strands that throw Shadows on the retina frankly Arch said I’d rather have fruit flies quillin proposed a toast may you never be judged by The Company You Keep then he entertained them with a story about Burgess Campbell’s guide

Dog Edington Smith used to search for outof print titles for Burgess and Alexander developed a platonic romance with Ed’s cat Winston would sit on the top step of the ladder and meaningful glances would be exchanged between the two animals after the disaster it seemed like the end of a beautiful friendship

Until Winston went to live with the beun next door to the Campbell and now they communed silently between the side windows isn’t that touching Mildred cried any excitement at the paper quillin asked are said our phones rang non-stop yesterday after the paper came out readers were mad as Hornets about

The post office story as if it were our doing people always want to shoot the messenger who brings bad news the headline was rather brutal Polly said if the news could have been broken more gently the quote from Homer tibit was a good idea do you know he’s in the

Hospital oh dear at his age it doesn’t sound good it’s not as bad as you think Polly said he’s having a knee replacement in the joint replacement Spa on the top floor they don’t treat patients as if they’re sick it’s like taking your car in for a break relining

I phoned Roa and she said he’s having a wonderful time he’s not stuck in a hospital room in a hospital gown the patients get together in a large Pleasant room and family members can visit them there then I don’t have to send him a cheer up card Arc said he can

Send me a cheer up card everyone was relaxed conversation flowed easily dessert was a chocolate sunde with a topping of pistachio nuts the party ended early and Polly invited quillin in for music when he finally returned to unit 4 the siames were waiting politely for their tuck-in

Ritual but the living room was a mess coko had been on a paper shredding binge and had reduced the something to ticker tape and confetti that smart cat had discovered that newsprint tears more successfully lengthwise than crosswise what was on his mind he had oblique ways of communicating he might

Be suggesting that he preferred torn paper in his commode and not the expensive dustproof scatter prooof litter or was he editorializing on the post office story The ha cou or the big teaser Ed promising fun for the whole family what kind of fun the next afternoon all was quiet in

Unit 4 quillin was reading and the siese were catnapping when coko suddenly bolted out of his lethargy as if shot and started racing around the house over tables around the kitchen up the stairs down to the living room sofa like a flying squirrel toppling a lamp scattering everything else

It was a first class catfit the big ones coming quillin thought the insane Chase ended on the fireplace mantle where coko stood on his hind legs and paed the btiq paed the red patches of dye that were Robins something twitched on quillin’s upper lip and something clicked in his

Brain he phoned unit two at The Birches Susan is there such a thing as an emergency manicure no darling are your fingernails falling off Robin is right next door with Jeffer shall I send her over I’ll be much in your debt Susan how about selling me the martini pcture not that

Much in your debt in a few minutes the manicurist arrived with her businesslike black kit Susan says you have a problem Mr Q yes it’s very good of you to come on short notice where shall we wait work at the kitchen table sitting across from her he

First grasped her hands and said with sincerity before we begin let me extend my deep sympathy to you and Mrs Young she lowered her eyes thank you I feel so sorry for jeffa losing her husband moving to a strange town to be with her son then losing him so

Tragically they observed a moment of respectful silence then she said said you have spatulate fingers Mr Q they make a strong hand for a man in a flashback he recalled acting in College Plays and gloating over critics Praise of his strong gestures was it only a matter of spatulate

Fingers now what’s the problem Mr Q my problem Robin is in accepting cast say death as an accident I feel strongly about it she looked up hopefully I do too I don’t know what to do did he have enemies well Don blamed Cass for breaking up our marriage but it was

Doomed long before I met Cass how did you meet him well XYZ executive meetings were held at our house and I was supposed to serve the drinks and then disappear but Cass like to talk to me about nature and the environment I love the outdoors after what happened at

Breakfast Island Cass and Dr Zer disagreed with Dawn a lot I knew about their fights because the walls of these condos are thin they had a violent argument over the payday loan company that Don wanted XYZ to start Don said it was legal and he could get a permit Dr

Zer said it was unethical and immoral it exploited working people that’s when he and Cass resigned who were Don’s new Associates do you know no I checked out by then but strange things are happening the doctor told Cass they should both get out of town while they were still healthy Cass

Didn’t take him seriously before you leave he said look at the wall hanging over the fireplace Robins she cried she pulled up a pant leg to show a small Robin tattoo on her ankle an artist in Bixby does butterflies squirrels anything you want it’s a permanent symbol of your commitment to

The environment as soon as I filed for divorce I got this tattoo and dyed my hair the reddest red there is I’ll give you the artist’s number if you’re interested she left and the Siamese jumped down from the refrigerator they had been listening concerned about what she was doing to

Him quillin hoped Polly was not looking out the window when the Striking redhead walked past he hoped she was still putting away summer cotton and getting out winter Tweeds if she saw Robin she would not recognize her as the colorless Mrs xbridge Polly would ask who was that

Striking redhead if he said my manicurist she wouldn’t believe it he would say she was collecting for homeless cats and dogs and when you didn’t answer your doorbell I gave her a generous donation in your name that she would believe chapter 17 Coco was a cat of many interests most

Of them short lived all of them intense now it was the glove box earlier he had spent hours investigating the highlights and shadows within the crystal Martini pitcher he had played fast and loose with a bowl of wooden apples as if pointing out that they were not the real thing that cat

Knew right from wrong he had rubbed his jaw on the sharp corners of the pyramid lampshade tilting it or twisting it why only a cat would know now his obsession was the glove box what’s going on with you in that box Young man quillin asked and coko squeezed his

Eyes he could contract his long Sleek body into a puff of fur to fit the 5×4 surface exactly looking like an Egyptian Sphinx from the book on the coffee table sometimes he exercised his foot pads on the carving or sniffed the hinges or paed the latch there’s nothing inside but gloves

Quillin told him then he thought we’re not connecting what does he want he’s trying to tell me something does he want to get into the box quillin was well aware that cats like to hide in boxes waste baskets drawers cabinets bookcases closets and stereo systems not to mention abandoned

Refrigerators and packing cases about to be shipped to Omar okay have it your way you Rascal he lifted the cat unceremoniously from his perch opened the lid and removed three pairs of winter gloves it’s all yours it was a heavy box the boards being Oak and an inch thick the lid

Tilted back on its hinges like a shelf coko approached cautiously first studying the interior then sniffing the surfaces corners and joinings one would be led to wonder what esoteric Secrets or Priceless Treasures or illegal substances had been stored there quillin himself could detect nothing enough of this nonsense treat it

Was the magic word yum yum suddenly appeared from one of the layers where she made herself invisible coko strolled nonchalantly to the feeding station and that was the end of the glove box that is until the next morning hello my dear viewers I’m so glad you’re enjoying

Listening to this book I love making videos for you and sharing my passion with you if you love my videos too and want to support me you can buy me a cup of coffee it’s a small gesture that makes a big difference it helps me cover the costs

Related to making videos and motivates me to keep going you can buy me a coffee by clicking the link in the description thank you so much after coko had finished his breakfast he walked directly to the glove box as if it were his assignment for the day it was still open and he

Jumped in settling down in a huddled posture to fit the space back humped head and ears alert tail drooping over the outside of the box it was obvious to quillin that the cat’s body seemed ele ated as if on a cushion he brought a ruler from his desk and measured the

Height of the box and the depth of the Interior it was 6 in outside 4 in inside a false bottom he said aloud sorry to disturb you old boy he closed the lid and turned the box over for examination as he did so there was an unexpected sound from within not a

Rattle but a switch he grasped the Box firmly and shook it hard something was sliding about inside an old love letter a deed to the Old Homestead a forgotten stock certificate now worth millions whatever it was Coco had known that something was inomed it might be the skeleton of a

Mouse or the turnkey from a sardine can chuckling quillin tackled the secret compartment pressing prying pounding while coko yowled at his elbow the more vigorous the attack the more active the contents and the louder the yows attracted by the excitement yum yum was adding her shrieks shut up the man

Yelled and the cats Turned Up the Volume quillin had an urge to take a hatchet to the stubborn chunk of wood but was saved by the telephone Bell good morning dear said Polly I’ll be chained to my desk all day and would appreciate some oranges and pears if you’re coming into

Toodles he agreed and at the same time solved his own problem Susan xbridge had a desk in her shop with a secret compartment she would have a suggestion the box he would leave at home however he was not supposed to have it Polly would not want it known that

She had given away Kurt’s heirloom and Susan would be too curious about what came out of it her store hours were 11 maybe to 5 maybe he dressed and drove downtown at 11:00 of course she was not there he stood on the street corner trying to decide where to go for

Coffee the center of town seemed unusually crowded it looked as if a parade was scheduled there were two PPD patrol cars in evidence quillin went to investigate three officers were Milling around and one of them was Andrew Brody it had to be important to bring the chief out pedestrians were spilling out

Into the street and police were detouring southbound traffic through Book Alley one lane was kept open for Northbound querin quickened his Pace when he realized the crowd was surging around the post office they were noisy but not belligerent what’s up Andy he called out protest about the murals peaceful so far

There were no picket signs no photographers no officials to hear the complaints just Town folk feeling bad and saying isn’t it terrible the chief said we need to bring it to a head quill so they’ll go home and let traffic get back to normal before some

Hotthead throws a brick why don’t you go up there and talk to them me you’ve got the Gift of Gab and they’ll listen to you without further words Brody grabbed his arm and started hustling him through the crowd coming through makeway step back please onlookers recognized the mustache

Is that him it’s Mr Q is he going to talk to us a flight of four steps on one side and a ramp on the other led to the post office doors quillin mounted the steps to the small concrete stoop and turned to face the assemblage the babble of

Voices became a tumult of cheers and Applause until he raised his hand for silence before he could speak a man’s voice called out where’s Coco there was a burst of laughter Koko’s amusing and exasperating Antics were crying aold in the quill pen reminding readers of their own unpredictable felines quillin speaking with his

Theater voice that required no microphone or bullhorn said that Koko was at home devising something special in the way of a catfit to user in the big one the tension was broken he surveyed his audience with the brooding gaze that they always construed as sympathetic I know why you’re here and I

Know how you feel I feel the same way most of you have had a lifelong friendship with these murals you know the 19th century Pioneers as if they were your neighbors you can see them with your eyes closed telling a field with a HSE drawn plow spinning wool on a

Wheel building a log cabin shoing a horse riding a log run down the river drying fish nets on the beach carrying a pickaxe and a lunch bucket to the mine and you know what he’s got for lunch a pasty everyone one shouted but time changes all things the colors are fading

And the paint is flaking a serious health hazard do we want to board up the murals and paint the walls government tan no no then let’s commission a new generation of artists to depict pioneer life with understanding and historic accuracy it’s the kind of people friendly project that the K fund

Believes in cheers interrupted and quillin took the opportunity to mop his brow the art studio that painted moose County Landscapes on the bookmobile would find it a challenge to depict primitive Landscapes and early settlers with their Ox carts and sailing ships and log cabins the original murals are being professionally photographed for

The historic record and for the guidance of artists who will replicate them and in a memorial booklet available without charge to every family and pickaxe a news photographer appeared quillin was mobbed by enthusiasts here was the quill pen in the flesh Coco’s god parent Santa Claus without a beard eventually Brody extricated him

And drove him to the Antique shop who tipped off the photographer quiller and asked the paper picked it up from the police radio said the chief all that Guff you gave them was that the honest truth you shoved me in front of them I had to make up something querin

Said got any coffee quillin grumbled as he barged into Susan’s shop darling what happened you look frazzled skip the compliments just pour the coffee she led him back to her office what on Earth have you been doing you’ll read about it in the paper and in case you’re

Wondering where your customers are there red down at the post office but they’ll be here in a few minutes meanwhile I’d like a Hostess gift from Mildred rker we had dinner there the other night you were out whooping it up Susan rolled her eyes a customer invited me to a birthday

Party at the Country Club and I had to go because she just made a huge purchase I sat next to the mayor and I thought it was rather go of him to try to sell me some Investments between the soup course and the entree what kind of Investments a

Special package that pays enormous interest he had the nerve to give me his card so I gave him my card and said I buy family heirlooms good for you now what do you recommend for Mildred she’d like a bone china teacup and saucer for her collection I keep

Them in stock they’re not old but collectors come in to buy one and see a Duncan F table they can’t live without or an original Tiffany lamp you’re a crafty one Susan he said but you’ll never sell a dunk can f anything to me I

Know darling but I love you in spite of it it’s your mustache so Cavalier when Polly gets tired of you I’ll be waiting in the wings now about Mildred’s teacup she went on in her business-like way she collects the rose pattern and I think the Yellow Rose would be good want me to

Gift wrap it and drop it off at her place on my way home what do you want on the card quiller was halfway home before realizing he had forgotten his Prime mission fruit for poly and information on false bottoms oh well the Siamese met him with a loud

Two-part reminder that it was half past treat time absently he poured out a dish of Crunchies while pondering The Mystery of the glove box once more he made an attack on the top bottom sides inside and outside without a clue then from the kitchen came a familiar but regrettable sound one of

The cats was sigh riding or bottom sliding as it was sometimes called quillin Shrugged and said aloud cats will be cats without stopping to figure the connection his mind flashed to another wooden box in his life when he was growing up it held dominoes it had a sliding lid virtually invisible unless

One knew about it the glove box might have a sliding bottom grasping it in both hands and pushing hard with both thumbs he held his breath nothing happened turning the Box around he pushed from the other end ah a faint crack appeared it was a tight

Fit but gradually the Gap opened to a few inches he could see an envelope inside and could even pull it out without struggling further it was addressed to one Helen umbler in chipmunk and the sender was g umbler in Pennsylvania the return address was cryptic it had been mailed 20 years

Before and the envelope was yellow with age both Coco and yum yum found it highly sniff worthy the enclosed note was equally cryptic what interested quillin was the unusual name he looked it up in the phone book but it was not listed he would ask the tibits they knew

Everyone where had Kurt’s mother found the box in the secondhand shop it was a handsome piece of carving had she tried to open it to retrieve the letter his ruminations were interrupted by a phone call from Polly exclaiming my hero what do you mean he asked I forgot

Your pears and oranges they weren’t all that important it was your performance in front of the post office that mattered somebody had to say something don’t be modest you saved the day everyone who walked into the library today was raving about your speech you stole the show from the big one do you

Know the last drink flags are going up all over the county The Village party will be held tonight at the clubhouse as usual open house from 5: till midnight with cash bar snacks informal entertainment and card games it’s very casual just drop in quillin said we could have dinner at The

Nutcracker Inn first it may close after snow flies and I want to visit a homer before the big one he Tracked Down Roa tibit at the Friendship Inn on the Medical Campus how is your indomitable spouse just fine quill he’s in the joint replacement spa and having the time of his life telling

Stories and keeping the other patients in stitches they’ve given themselves nicknames one Old Gentleman said if you can be Homer I want to be chaler and that started it one woman wanted to be Emily Dickinson and so forth do they welcome Visitors by all means come before snowf flies as

Longtime residents of moose County Roa have you ever known anyone by the name of Helen umbler she lived in chipmunk 20 years ago that’s all I know there was a thoughtful pause it’s ringing a distant Bell I’ll ask Homer you do that and I’ll see you both tomorrow chapter

18 Tuesday was a sunny day with blue sky and puffy white clouds yet it was the official countdown before the big one and all moose County was in a frenzy of stocking up on everything quillin had asked the drugstore to save him a Sunday New York Times which would keep him busy

Doing the three-day blizzard as he approached the store he recognized two men standing on the sidewalk Ernie Kemp’s booming voice said the shaft house then Burgess cample said something and they both roared with laughter what’s the dirt you guys quillin asked and why isn’t Alexander laughing Campbell’s guide dog had the

Unflinching stoicism of his profession cample became suddenly serious remember I wanted a put an antique mall in Otto’s old building quill I’ve just found out what’s going in there the recreation center that’s been advertised in a teaser campaign it’s going to be a video palace with gambling machines on the balcony and

They’re calling it the shaft house because you’ll get the shaft burgus said they roared again why are we laughing said Ernie it’s bad news how did you find out about this quillin asked it’s been the biggest secret since Hannibal crossed the Alps my next door neighbor has the trucking firm that delivered the

Equipment the gambling machines go on the balcony wait a minute I didn’t know gambling was permitted in this town only if you get a special permit from the city council previous requests have been denied but this time somebody had the right connections or greased the right Palms Burgess said Alexander himself

Could get a license to sell booze in this town if if he knew the right boots to lick when quillin left with his armful of newspaper he thought this whole concept including the name is too sophisticated for the simple purveyor of tasty eats is Aro one of the donx

Associates is the mayor another is this one of the schemes that zoler disapproved of is this one of the reasons he left town suddenly it takes a special kind of courage to expose corruption in a small town it’s easier and safer to move away the prospect of visiting a

Hospitalized 98-year-old is not usually a joyous one but there was never anything usual about Homer tibit and quillin looked forward to it the lobby of pickax General was a flutter with canary The Helpful Volunteers in yellow smoks one of them conducted quiller into the joint replacement Spa on the top

Floor in an Atrium under a skylight not the real thing but psychologically effective patients were lounging in specially designed furniture and indulging in spurts of laughter Roa made the introductions chaler pocco hunas Mark Twain Paul R Joon of Arc and this is our beloved Mr Q the response was in

Instantaneous love your column how’s Coco my daughter won one of your pencils got your recumbent bike put away in moth balls he replied I’m overwhelmed in the presence of so many world-renowned personages It could only happen in pickax where’s Emily Dickinson went home this morning when she hears you are here

She’ll be fit to be tied who was telling B jokes when I came in quillin asked we were are playing think games Homer said we’re making a collection of nostalgic sounds that you never hear anymore or hardly ever charer do your impersonation of an old car with a weak battery trying to

Start on a cold morning I remember it well the man said all over the neighborhood you’d hear and then a pause the temperature was below zero and the driver was sweating behind the wheel again chug hopeful silence then chug chug chug and the car roared down the street at 15 mil an

Hour there were others laundry being scrubbed on a wooden washboard an office full of manual typewriters all clattering at the same time a street urchin shouting Sho shines for a nickel the Sunday afternoon sound of cutting grass with a push and grunt lawnmower a wind up gramophone running

Down in the middle of a record then Roa explained that Mr Q had come to discuss business with Homer and the three of them retired to the privacy of a hospital room Homer said we’ve been cuddling our brains about the umbler name 20 years ago Roa was still teaching I was retired

As principal but still poking my nose into everything yes and I remember a Mrs umbler she said it was my year to do parent liaison and she was a pathetic little creature single mother struggling to support herself and her son she did house cleaning but it was difficult

Without a car and her son got into trouble at school he was a bright boy an all a student but he had a lawbreaking streak what laws did he break break quillin asked Thou shalt not do homework for other students or sign parents names to report cards or write false absence

Excuses assuming he did it for money quillin said was he helping out at home that gives it a hint of nobility Homer said but he was part of a white collar crime ring with two accomplishes from affluent families they were all smart kids who could have used their intelligence for leadership and creative

Purposes there were just three bad apples in a barrel of good ones that happens you know quillin’s mustache bristled and he fingered the letter in his pocket what measures did the school take the two students from good families were privately reprimanded and allowed to finish their senior year umbler dropped

Out it was the kind of thing that the school suppressed said Roda querin said what was his name George I found a letter he wrote to his mother in chipmunk 20 years ago the return address on the envelope looks like that of a state prison he read it to them hi Mom

Just a note to let you know I’ll be out soon but if Denise is still around tell her I’m dead I’m getting a new identity new occupation new lifestyle new everything I’ve learned a lot in five years the trick is to live by your wits

And not by the rules so don’t waste any prayers on me Mom I’ll always be your bad apple George quillin said the handwriting is good with a backslant that’s quite distinctive and my proof reader’s eye notes perfect spelling and punctuation there were murmured comments from two listeners who knew not quite

What to say quillin asked who were the affluent Families how did they get their wealth one from railroading one from bootlegging Homer said adding quickly you’re not going to write about this are you his wife said Homer quill wouldn’t waste his talent on muckraking Thinking Fast querin said I

Found an old wood carving that would have sentimental value for Mrs ombler if I could find her I thought her son’s two Confederates might know her whereabouts Roda jumped up Consulting her watch Homer it’s time for your therapy sorry quill would you excuse us I’ll walk you to the

Elevator as soon as they were out of her husband’s hearing she said I don’t want him to have a stroke his blood pressure erupts when anyone mentions Gideon Blake he’s the Bad Apple who earned two college degrees and returned under the name of Gregory BL when Homer retired

The Man became principal wriggled out of a scandal was elected mayor three times oh it’s all too much for Homer I understand quillin said take good care of our Civic treasure meure on the way to his van in the parking lot quillin came face to face with a large Fierce looking Scott in

Kilt and Bonnet with a bagpipe under his arm a rare sight approaching a hospital building Andy what are you doing here he demanded my old uncle is in there the police chief said gloomily his dying wishes to hear the bagpipe once more sad business when I’ve finished I’ll be

Ready for a swig of the good stuff I have a bottle of very good stuff said quillin if you don’t mind driving out to Indian village I’ll do that but it’ll be late after 10: I take my wife out to dinner on my day off quillin drove home with a happy foot

On the pedal he had missed his confabs with the chief exchanging suspicions private theories and sometimes inside information at home he was met by a highly nervous yum yum she frisked about not in anticip Pati of a treat but in disapproval of a misdemeanor what’s bugging you

Sweetheart he asked trying to pick her up for comforting but she darted away and ran to the coffee table there he found that a cat had upchucked on his book about Egypt with its fine jacket illustration of pyramids in the desert fortunately the cover was protected by a

Heavy polyurethane slip jacket even so why had the cat elected that particular spot for an indiscretion obviously Coco was the culprit cats never covered for each other the innocent one always circled and sniffed the scene of the crime and where was the perpetrator he was not hiding in guilt

Or shame or embarrassment he was sitting complacently on his cushion at top the refrigerator silently quillin did what had to be done there was nothing to be gained by scolding perhaps Koko had an upset stomach but he could have selected a more appropriate a Target quillin stayed calm and Koko was

Certainly calm only sweet little yum yum with her housekeeper instincts suffered the stigma of it all quillin picked her up and carried her around the room several times kneading her fur and murmuring in her ear until she purred and as he walked he pondered the remarkable creature named C Kung trying

To communicate and failing to get through no no wonder he tossed his cookies and on my Best Book what does he want to tell me a moment later quillin had a brilliant idea putting yum yum down gently he phoned Kurt Nightingale and left a message on the machine Kurt this

Is quiller and I’ve decided to go Whole Hog David Roberts Napoleon and anything else you consider a wise investment could you come over tomorrow about noon and have a bloody Mary and give me some advice just call and leave a yes or or no on my machine when quillin picked up Polly for

A dinner date at the Nutcracker in he was met at the door by Brutus herself self-appointed security officer who accepted a small bribe the way to have a friend is to be a friend said quillin and that goes double for cats on the way to Black Creek he announced I’ve solved my Christmas

Shopping problem I wish I could she said what are you doing give giving everyone a gift certificate for an ankle tattoo at a Bixby Art Studio it’s now socially correct to declare your commitment to the environment by having a nature symbol tattooed on your ankle her peels of laughter jolted his

Grip on the wheel who gave you that idea you could have a butterfly or a mouse or a cardinal Cardinals are overdone you see them on greeting cards t-shirts po holders waist baskets everywhere she objected you have plenty of time to decide I visualized arch with a bullfrog and Mildred with a white

Rabbit his manner was so serious she never knew when she was being teased she said I saw Derek driving into our street the other day I wonder what that was all about he and Weatherby were probably planning the entertainment for the party I wouldn’t be surprised if they did a tap

Dance Polly had never seen the tall brick mansion that housed the Nutcracker in where do you see the interior he said Fran Brody was commissioned to furnish it in stictly like the Macintosh in but the atmosphere is different she said as she entered lighter and airier and friendlier it’s the pale Coral

Walls when the inkeeper welcomed them he said to quillin the young couple you recommended as inke Keepers came in and introduced themselves they have good personalities and credentials and I told them Mr Knox Mr Knox cried a young woman in a housekeeping Smock as she rushed

Down the stairs from an upper floor Mrs Smith on the third floor wants her dinner sent up on a tray no problem he said quietly give the information to the hostess and Katy walk don’t rush to the guests he explained an MCCC student her first day on the job Polly

Said how well I remember my first day on my first job don’t we all in the dining room the tablecloths were the same pale Coral they both ordered grilled salmon to go with the tablecloths they said quillin grumbled that it must be the cook’s first day on

The job too although he finished every morsel on his plate Polly said guess who came to the library today bearing gifts Misty Morgan she’s offering us two large boutiques in splashy colors to brighten the reading room I took her to lunch at renny’s what did you do with your trusty

Tuna sandwich gave it to Mac and Katie Misty claims to have a unique eye for hidden details and she can tell when someone has had cosmetic surgery she was glancing around the restaurant and it struck me as invasion of privacy but I reserved my opinion she said to me don’t

Look now but the man over there has had a complete facial reconstruction he must have been in a devastating accident did you look of course I looked it was Curt liting Gale I always thought his expression was unemotional I wonder if he’s doing well with his catalog toward the end of the meal

Quillin asked how do you feel about the last drink party not strongly how do you feel it’s April 15th trying to be New Year’s Eve but we should make an appearance I have to be home by 10: I’m expecting an important phone call when they left the dining room the

Inkeeper asked if they had enjoyed their dinner and they were trying to say something tactful when the young housekeeper came bouncing down the stairs again Mr Knox the lady on the third floor wants to know if Nicodemus could spend a night with her she’s lonesome for her five

Cats hearing his name a sleek black cat slinked into their midst a cat with eyes that burned like live coals certainly the inkeeper said take him upstairs and don’t forget his water dish and commode ah querin thought Maggie’s still here chapter 19 when quillin and ply arrived at the

Party they were greeted effusively by their neighbors we were afraid you were incoming Derek has written a new song what are you drinking try some of the chicken liver pate whether be good played a Fanfare on the piano and announced and now the moment you have been waiting for Derek

Cuddle Brink plays his latest creation pickaxe the proud there were cheers as everyone’s favorite folk singer stepped to the microphone strummed a few chords and sang We’re The Friendly folk of pickax USA we find each other’s puppies when they stray our bosses give us raises and we always sing their praises and we’re

Getting better looking every day if someone does Us dirt we never Sue we lend the guy next door a buck or two we’re the first at paying tax axes and the last at grinding axes and gossiping we never never do when someone suggested making it the official anthem of pickax City the

Villagers roared their approval Derek winked broadly at quillin who left immediately with Polly both of them murmuring excuses and regrets around 10:00 the Siamese were watching quiller and prepare a tray of Beverages and cheeses when their heads swiveled toward the Foy an unearthly sound was coming from the street on the

Sidewalk stood Andrew Brody in the fatigues he usually wore to rake leaves and he was piping a wild Scottish dance when the last bouncing heel clicking notes had trailed off into silence quillin called out Andy what’s that insane tune the drunken piper then come in and sober

Up he followed quillin into the kitchen dropping the bag pipe on the sofa there the SES could sniff the strange animal and decide whether it was dead or alive how did it go at the hospital I played his favorite hymns and he was peaceful when I left the refreshments were served in the

Living room where there was a small fire crackling in the grate the guest looked about appreciatively pretty Big Rob those are those apples real that picture is some chunk of glass then he asked how come you aren’t out having a last drink this is my last

Drink are you one of those idiots who rush out into the street when snow starts to fly and stick out their tongues I can’t say I fit that description if a snowflake lands on your tongue it’s supposed to be good luck downtown will be full of crazy fools

Running around with tongues hanging out like overheated dogs the telephone rang let it ring kerin said I think they’ll leave a message after a few rings a man’s voice said Quail this is Kurt the answer is yes tomorrow at 12:00 noon you’re making a wise choice are you ready for the big one

Tonight Brody asked I don’t expect it as soon as the National Weather Service predicts when my weather cat stages his meteorological catfit it’ll be time to batten down the hatches one of my neighbors kids won a pencil in your contest he wrote a poem about his Cuts where are your Chums the

Little pickpocket has an eye on your wristwatch the smart one as you call him is staring at you from the stairs and wondering when the law agencies are going to solve a perfectly obvious case what’s his take on the situation bro asked as seriously as if Consulting eru PUO

First Let me refresh your drink quillin said and help yourself to the cheese he took his time before answering the question if you’ve never heard Koko’s death Howl in the middle of the night you don’t know what cold sweat is all about it means murder he howled at the

Precise moment when Ruff Abbey was shot and again when Cass young was killed but first he howled when the thousands of books were burned Coco considers that murder and by the way arson was ruled out but I have a theory about that let’s hear it some unauthorized individual let himself in

The back door and Ed’s cat escaped thus saving his life Winston had never wanted to go out but his animal Instinct warned him of impending evil the same Instinct that charges Koko’s batteries assuming that the three incidents are three felonies is Koko prepared to finger any Suspects

Yow came a comment from the stairs as coko heard his name there’s your answer quillin said does the name Ambler mean anything to you nope odd name George ombler was one of three bad boys at pickax high school at one time and I think he’s back again with an alias what

Do you know about the donx associates Brody harped I’m not at Liberty to talk but there may be some interesting news in your paper tomorrow meanwhile ombler is coming here for a Bloody Marry at noon tomorrow and I plan to ask him some embarrassing questions depending on how he reacts a

Cop on the premises might be able to make an arrest you serious never more so but the guy lives only two doors away so we can’t have any police vehicles at the curb we can handle that Brody said the next morning qu and phoned the concierge at the pet Plaza do you board

Cats by the hour Lori bomba had been his friend in need ever since he arrived in Moose County not usually she said but I need to get them off the premises for a few hours for reasons too complicated to describe when now we’ll send our limousine over in half an hour your

Carrier or ours quillin lured the sies into the kitchen with a small treat then stuffed them into their carrier it was a loose fit for two Sleek Siamese unless they preferred not to travel then they puffed themselves up to resemble two porcupines on stilts consider this a mini vacation at

An exclusive Resort he said behave like patricians two pairs of eyes glowed at him through the metal mesh of their prison shortly after the limousine had whisked them away to the pet Plaza A plumers van pulled up and a man approached unit for with a kit of

Plumbers tools got a leak he asked with a grin when quillin opened the door come in Pete he said recognizing a deputy from the sheriff’s department Pete spoke a few words into a cell phone and the plumbing van drove away what’s up Mr q a guy is coming here

To sell me some books and he happens to be a suspect in a murder case I intend to ask him some leading questions not about books and you’re here in case he gets nasty the spare room on the balcony will be your observation post we’re supposed to tape the interrogation so

I’d better get set up feel free to move anything around if necessary and let me know if there’s anything you need the doorbell rang again a pizza wagon stood at the curb and a delivery man handed him a large square flat box quillin recognized him as an officer

From the PPD hi Mr Q Brody sent this for your party I hear it’s going to be fun in games today he mumbled into his cell phone and the Pizza Wagon took off as noon approached the pizza was in the warming oven the two officers were upstairs and quillin was at the bar

Readying tomato juice vodka hot sauce and a fresh lime he was having second thoughts about trapping the quiet soberfest mother’s glove box it was no proof that she was Helen humbler Kurt’s mother might have bought the Box at a local antique shop never guessing that a letter was hidden in a false bottom

Neither did ply and quillin himself had not discovered it until Coco commenced sniffing and pwing if Nightingale were indeed umbler as quillin suspected body language would reveal his guilt unless he happened to be a skilled actor acting might be one of the things he boasted of learning while in prison don’t wet lips

Don’t blink don’t scratch neck don’t pull earlobe quillin began to wish Koko were there to contribute an occasional yo and iick the doorbell rang and the quiet soberfest to say good morning come in and have a last last drink in the foyer Nightingale glanced about wearily then walked to the

Sofa interesting piece of glass he said does it have a pedigree St Louis lead crystal made for the French steamship lines weighs a ton there’s a fine book about glassmakers of the world if you’re interested bakara stuben Waterford orer and so forth absolutely the definitive work right now I’m interested in Egypt

Quillin said but first drink to the big one we’ll all be glad when snow flies and we can stop worrying about wildfires or whatever they are a lot of people think there are some is that strange thing about arson Property Owners used to burn their buildings to

Collect insurance now arson is the most common type of vandalism structures are torched for thrills or just plain meanness there’s a rumor that a land Grabber burned the bookstore in order to get an affordable site and a good location for sale to a commercial developer as a Bookman Kurt you must

Have been horrified to see thousands of books go up in flx names there wasn’t much of value there said the Bookman I spent several hours on the ladder and found nothing worthwhile be that as it may it was the pride of pickax and Edington himself was a leading

Citizen quillin stroked his mustach it hasn’t been announced as yet but I propose to establish a rare book room at the public library as a memorial to Edington that’s why I asked you here today to suggest Acquisitions his guest bristled with interest as a centerpiece Kurt I would

Like to suggest the three volume set of David Roberts lithographs and while I refresh your drink would you take this card and jot down other titles that a rare book room should have on exhibit a pleasure said Nightingale with the Kay fund behind it cost should be no

Consideration we’d like to think that tourists who used to head for the funny old bookstore will in the future head for the Edington Smith Memorial and its fabulous books querin suppressed a chuckle as he thought of the two officers on the balcony taping the grandio speech he

Took his time in mixing another bloody Mary and cutting wedges of pizza for a snack while Nightingale made his list with obvious relish when quillin looked at this list he nodded with satisfaction It Was Written in the unique backhand of George umbler both men enjoyed the pizza and quillin

Explained that it came from a pizza parlor in kbec that delivered food and drink and the prospect of a lucrative sale had apparently mellowed nightingale’s usual stiff formality it was time for quillin to go to work you must have noticed many changes in pickax Kurt Medical Center Airport

Community College Curling Club I saw you there the other evening the Night cast fell down the stairs are you a member I have a social membership that’s all friendly crowd how long have you been gone from what we call God’s country perhaps 25 years time flies I suppose you attended pickax High

School the guest nodded dismissing it as a topic worth exploring they have an Olympic siiz swimming pool now is that so did you by any chance know a stent student named George ombler quillin thought he detected a slight winse can’t say that I did he was an all

A student and considered quite a brain unfortunately he got into trouble and dropped out a friend of mine knew his mother she lived in chipmunk George had a girlfriend here who moped over him for years and then finally jumped off the bloody Creek Bridge this was a fictional Touch of

Quillin’s but it stirred heard no emotion in his listener Mrs umbler said her son ran a fowl of the law in the East and spent 5 years in prison although Nightingale did not wet his lips or pull his earlobe a flush came to his neck there was another notoriously bad

Boy at the high school named Quin looked at the ceiling as if trying to recall the name and he saw the guest room door opened slowly and noiselessly I believe the name was Gideon Blake no recollection is there a point to all this the man’s temper was

Rising Gideon got in trouble too but changed his name and became mayor of Our Fair City Nightingale took a gulp of his bloody mary the only reason I’m boring you with this local gossip is to acquaint you with a rumor that umbler is back in town

Under an alias and is wanted on charges of of arson and murder Nightingale clearly Disturbed set down his glass with a crash and quillin moved casually to the fireplace to stir the small blaze in the great and to get his hand on the poker he turned just in

Time to see something flying in his Direction he dodged and the missile sailed past his ear and crashed into the sliding glass door at the same time there were thundering commands from the balcony and flattering boots on the stairs outside the shattered door the martini pitcher landed unharmed on its

Solid bottom on the cedar deck the vehicles that had moved quietly into River Road on a signal from the balcony now sped out of the village with the suspect in the sheriff’s car and the leftover pizza in the PPD car quillin before calling the pet Plaza notified the maintenance crew to remove

The broken glass and board up the sliding door when the Siamese arrived they knew something monstrous had happened even without visible evidence and they were disinclined to leave the carrier only smoked oysters tempted them to return to the real world even so they approached the treat with bellies to the floor and

Frequent glances over the shoulder eventually coko but not timid yum yum prowed about the scene of the crime amazingly he first inspected the martini picture now cled in the center of the coffee table as if nothing had happened if the condo had been built according to code with safety glass it would have

Lost a handle any comment quillin asked Koko you won’t be quoted the cat was speechless the telephone rang and it was Arch Riker’s urgent Voice have you heard the news we have a bulletin on the front page the mayor’s been arrested on what grounds operating an illegal investment

Scheme called a Ponzi scheme Amanda will be taken off her clothes and dancing in the street so will Homer tibit Amanda will win the election unopposed quillin asked exactly what is a Ponzi scheme well as I understand it art said a broker takes a client’s D to invest in

Some promising business that needs cash to get started and will pay big interest the deal sounds so good that the client’s friends and relatives rush to invest their kids college funds and retirement nest eggs on paper it looks great they give the broker more dough of course the crunch is that he never

Invested it just used it for his own purposes it’s sometimes called pyramiding pyramiding quillin repeated with a look of wonderment was that why Koko was always twisting the brown lampshade or was he doing it because cats like to twist lampshades quillin had a great desire to go downtown mingle with the crowd take

The public pulse driving his van he thought Zer blew the whistle it takes a special kind of nerve to expose corruption in a small town he took Maggie along under the guise of an elopment he sent her back with the documents or whatever evidence he had she lay low delivering the papers to

Zola’s attorney who worked with the prosecutor was it the barometric pressure of the approaching storm or was it relief at seeing a dubious character exposed hordes of people poured out into the downtown streets some of them inebriated all of them giddy with the news the PPD was keeping an eye on them

Although the officers were smiling as broadly as the celebrating citizens in the post office the bank the stores it was the same querin went to the police station and Brody waved him into his office what did I tell you have a cup of coffee well you trapped the rat quillin said with

All due respect to the mayoral office and we’re charging Nightingale with arson and murder how did you get the idea he was umbler coko found the evidence he also suspected Don xb’s letter in Praise of shaft houses and the follow-up letters in opposition not to mention the leader ads for the video

Palace it would do me a lot of good to confiscate the gambling machines our people don’t need those let them play Bingo and asked how about Don xbridge he’s always working against the public good and getting away with it he’ll be accused as a complice before the fact

You can be sure everything was his idea umbler did the dirty work and he won’t let xbridge go Scot free what was the crash I heard on the tape Nightingale picked up the martini pitcher by the handle and aimed it at my head like a hammer throw I ducked and it sailed

Through X Bridge’s cheap glass door Landing right side up on the soft Cedar deck Brody said a foolish man xbridge using arson as a shortcut to acquiring land for development no doubt about it Andy he wanted Book Alley for a strip mall downtown and he wanted 10 mind sites for

Country Estates and high density Condominiums before leaving downtown quillin visited the library to break the news to ply she already knew Through the Grapevine it’s hard to believe she said that Kurt would be involved like that he seemed like a decent sort and he loved books he sold books he corrected

Her as he drove to Indian village the sky became leaden and the dusk was falling early he was not surprised to see the interior of unit 4 in a state of confusion everything that was not nailed down had been knocked to the floor almost everything strangely the martini

Pitcher bowl of wooden apples and glove box were untouched but quillin’s desktop was swept clean two lamps were toppled and the Danish rug was crumpled like an unmade bed this was a catfit at its worst or best depending on one’s point of view Koko was obviously pleased with his

Performance he lounged full length on the mantle and surveyed the Clutter with satisfaction and where was yum yum huddled in The Spectator gallery on the stairs guarding a treasure that the police had left behind a stick of chewing gum probably the first he hadd ever seen quillin had survived enough cat

Fits to know what to do stay calm don’t scold clean up as he worked he considered the status quo the catfit marked the Advent of the big one but also the closure of the three bad apples case he knew by experience that coko would now lose interest in apples Robins

Carved boxes and letters to the editor it proved one of two theories either Koko was consciously exposing evil or he was just a cat briefly interested in this or that and the connections were all coincidental there were no absolute answers scientists having heard of the cat aptitudes through a police

Lieutenant Down Below had wanted to study Koko’s brain but quillin flatly refused he preferred to attribute Koko’s gifts to his 60 whiskers for the cat’s dinner querin diced turkey from toodles Deli for himself he opened a can of soup then he read aloud with yum yum curled on his

Lap and Coco sitting tall on the arm of the chair at one point both small B bodies tensed and heads turned toward the front windows then both cats raced to the kitchen window all was silent outdoors and the night was dark but light from the kitchen revealed the first few

Snowflakes fluttering lazily to the parched Earth a deep gurgling sound came from Coco and a faint mewing from yum yum it was the Prelude to the big one quillin grabbed his jacket and wool hat and went out the front door the flakes meandered earthward like a gentle

Blessing no neighbor was around to share the magical moment two delicate snowflakes came to rest on his mustache and then why not he stuck out his tongue the end you’ve been listening to the cat who smelled a rat by Lillian Jackson Brawn narrated by George guidel if you’ve enjoyed this book and

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